More than half a million homes will be powered by renewable energy, following the approval of the Gwynt y Môr Offshore Wind Farm off the coast of North Wales.

Combined with three other nearby wind farms, the wind farm will provide enough green electricity to power the equivalent of 680,000 homes.

The 750MW development by Npower Renewables will be the world’s second largest offshore wind farm and will comprise of up to 250 turbines.

Approval came from the department of energy and climate change. Department secretary Ed Miliband said: “The UK must clean up its energy supply to fight the damaging effects of climate change and more wind power will help us do this.

“The UK is leading the world in offshore wind, and the developments off the coast of North Wales will help keep us front runners.”