Dong Energy and SSE plan to extend the Walney offshore wind farm into a third phase through an additional 207 turbines, or 750MW. Walney wind farms I and II are already capable of producing 367MW.
The four year build is expected to begin in 2016, pending a positive final investment decision.
Energy secretary Ed Davey said: “Another large windfarm is now closer to being built – and each one gives us more home-grown, clean and secure energy supplies.”
“Driving investment in energy has made us the top country in the world for investing in offshore wind.”
The Walney Extension project was one of the first eight projects, five of which were for offshore wind, awarded a Contract for Difference (CFD) by the government in April.