PLANS to build one of the world's largest offshore wind farms off the coast of Mablethorpe will go before the public later this year.

Renewable energy giant RWE npower is hoping to develop turbines that could provide up to 1,200 megawatts of electricity – more than six times the power provided by the Lynn and Inner Dowsing scheme off the Skegness coast.

Turbines for the Triton Knoll project would be based about 20 miles off the Mablethorpe shoreline.

Government permission for the project was granted to RWE npower in 2003, but officials from the company say Triton Knoll will start progressing throughout this year.

RWE npower project manager Jacob Hain told the Echo: "We are in the early stages of developing Triton Knoll Wind Farm.

"We intend to submit an application for the wind farm to the Infrastructure Planning Commission and this will require us to consult widely on the details of the proposal.

"The offshore assessments are under way and cover a wide range of topics, including marine ecology, cultural heritage, aviation, shipping and fisheries.

"We are also undertaking an alternatives assessment for the onshore infrastructure and we will be engaging with the public about this." when we have more information."

"If constructed, Triton Knoll wind farm will make an important contribution to UK renewable energy targets."

The news follows an announcement by Centrica back in November that final investment approval has been secured for their Lincs wind farm project which is due to start in 2010 off the coast of Skegness.

The 270 megawatt wind farm will comprise of 75 turbines at a cost of £725m and should start generating power by the end of 2012.

British Wind Energy Association spokesman Charles Anglin said the trade group believed offshore turbines were "vital" to the future of Britain.

"A third of all British power stations have to close in the next 10 years.

"We have the chance to replace them with clean, green energy which will help tackle climate change and keep the lights on and create British based jobs. We should take the opportunity."

What do you think? Will wind turbines off the Mablethorpe shoreline be a blot on the landscape or provide an added attraction for tourists? Email sarah.payne@targetseries.co.uk