One of Britain's biggest windfarms is to be built off the Suffolk coast after the Government granted approval.
The windfarm will be situated 23km (12 miles) off the coast
The Greater Gabbard scheme, to be sited 23km (12 miles) off the coast, would have the potential to supply power to 415,000 homes, the government said.
Power from the 140 turbines would help cut carbon dioxide emissions by 1.5m tonnes a year - equivalent to taking 350,000 cars off the road.
The project is being developed by the companies Airtricity and Fluor.
The windfarm will be placed close to two shallow sandbanks - the Inner Gabbard and the Galloper.
It will occupy 150 square kilometres within the outer Thames Estuary strategic wind farm area.
Secretary of State for Trade and Industry Alistair Darling said: "We need more renewable energy as part of the mix of generation of electricity. It cuts emissions while powering homes."
Climate Change Minister Ian Pearson said: "Projects like this that expand our capacity to generate clean electricity will play a major role in helping to reduce the UK's carbon dioxide emissions by 60% by 2050."
The decision to grant consent was taken after a thorough consideration of the possible impacts of the project on a range of environmental and other issues, a ministerial statement said.