Sheringham Shoal Visitor Centre opens as a tourist attraction in Norfolk

NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND, February 16, 2011 (Press-News.org) While the construction of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm continues off the North Norfolk coast , it is timely that the Sheringham Shoal Visitor Centreis now open. The visitor and wind energy education centre associated with this exciting renewable energy project is located in The Mo, on nearby Sheringham seafront.

The Sheringham Shoal Visitor Centre is lhoused on the first floor of the Sheringham Museum in The Mo.

The graphics and interactive displays featured at the Visitor Centre are designed to describe the historic importance of wind to the North Norfolk community. In addition, visitors can learn about the processes involved in the development, construction and operation of an offshore wind farm.

When completed in 2012, the Sheringham Shoal development will generate enough electricity each year to power the equivalent of 220,000 domestic homes.

Kari Hege Mørk, Stakeholder Manager for the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm project, has been greatly involved in the design and planning of the visitor centre."We have worked hard to achieve a balance in the design and content of the Visitor Centre so that it will not only be fun and interactive, but also educational, including being of assistance to schools where climate change and renewable energy feature in the curriculum and to students researching wind energy. The Centre will also be a place where the people can learn more about this historic project, which their community is a central part of," says Mørk.

The Sheringham Shoal Wind Farm Visitor Centre will be open for visitors Tuesday through Sunday from 1 February - 31 October 2011. Opening hours are Tuesday - Saturday, 10:00am - 4:30pm, Sunday, 12.00 noon - 4:00pm. Closed Mondays. There is no charge for entry to the Visitor Centre, although if the visit is to be combined with a visit to the Sheringham Museum, normal museum charges will apply.

About Us:
The Sheringham Shoal wind farm project began in 2004 when the lease for the site was granted, and is due to be completed in 2012. With 88 turbines, the wind farm will generate enough electricity to power approx. 220,000 homes. The turbines will be positioned less than a kilometre apart and will be supported by foundations secured to the seabed. The turbines will be visible from the shore approximately 60% of the time, depending on the weather conditions.