Chris Tomlinson, E.ON Development Manager for the project, said: “We're delighted to be able to present our draft proposals for the Rampion project. I’ve been really encouraged by the response we’ve had to the development so far and I’m excited to now be able to discuss the project in more detail with the local community and hear their views.”

The proposed offshore wind farm, which would be located 13km off the Sussex coast at its nearest point, could feature between 100 and 195 turbines depending on the model used. The site could accommodate an installed electrical capacity of up to 700MW, which E.ON estimates could generate enough electricity to supply the equivalent of around 450,000 homes; more than two-thirds of the homes in the whole of Sussex, including the city of Brighton and Hove.

With a population of over 1.5million, Sussex has a huge demand for electricity and the Rampion wind farm offers a unique opportunity to make a valuable contribution to securing the county's electricity supplies for the future.

The community consultation period for the project runs from Monday 13 February until Sunday 6 May. The local community can have their say on the proposal by completing and returning a consultation questionnaire; at one of the public exhibitions, online at eon-uk.com/rampion, or by post to FREEPOST RAMPION OFFSHORE WIND FARM. You can also write to one of the Rampion team at Rampion@eon.com or call the consultation line on 01273 694 876.

Public information events will be held at:

Brighton: Saturday 18 February, 10am - 6pm Brighton Unitarian Church, New Road, BN1 1UF

Worthing: Saturday 25 February, 10am - 6pm St Pauls, Main Hall, Chapel Road, BN11 1EE

Newhaven: Monday 27 February, 12pm - 8pm Hillcrest Community Centre, Main Hall, Hillcrest Road, BN9 9EA

Steyning:Wednesday 29 February, 12pm - 8pm The Steyning Centre, Coombe Court, Fletcher’s Croft, BN44 3XZ

Shoreham-by-Sea: Monday 5 March, 12pm - 8pm Holmbush Shopping Centre, Main Atrium, Upper Shoreham Road, BN43 6TD

Hove: Saturday 10 March, 10am - 6pm St Andrew Old Church Hall, Church Road, BN3 2AD

Seaford: Monday 12 March, 12pm - 8pm The Clinton Centre, Clinton Hall, Clinton Place, BN25 1NP

Albourne: Saturday 17 March, 10am - 6pm Albourne Village Hall, Hassocks, BN6 9DJ

Peacehaven: Wednesday 21 March, 12pm - 8pm Community House, Anzac Room, Meridian Centre, BN10 8BB

Henfield: Tuesday 27 March, 11am - 6:30pm Henfield Village Hall, Main Hall, Coopers Way, BN5 9DB

Lancing: Thursday 29 March, 12pm - 8pm Lancing Parish Hall, Jubilee Hall, South Street, BN15 8AJ

Littlehampton: Wednesday 4 April, 12pm - 8pm Manor House, New Millennium Chamber, Church Street, BN17 5EW

In Spring, E.ON will be installing a meteorological mast on the site to measure wind speeds, wave heights, sea currents and other offshore environmental data.

E.ON already owns and operates three offshore wind farms in UK waters; the UK's first offshore wind farm near Blyth in Northumberland, Scroby Sands off the coast of Great Yarmouth and Robin Rigg in the Solway Firth.