IT will be the nerve centre of a giant off-shore wind park proposed for waters in the Solent.

Developers Navitus Bay Development Ltd yesterday revealed they are earmarking three sites on the Hampshire and Dorset coast to house the control centre of their huge collection of wind turbines.

The company – a joint venture between Eneco and EDF – have submitted a planning application for a £3 billion wind park off the Hampshire and Dorset coast, 12 miles from Bournemouth and to the west of the Isle of Wight.

Now they want to base their operations and maintenance – serving as the site’s headquarters – in either Yarmouth, Portland or Poole.

The base will support 160 jobs – including skilled technicians to maintain the turbines – plus 2,000 jobs during the construction phase.

If accepted, the wind farm could include up to 218 turbines at up to 650ft high, generating power for almost 790,000 homes a year – which is nine times the amount of properties in Bournemouth and 13 times more than the number on the Isle of Wight.

Navitus Bay project manager Mike Unsworth said the project will bring £1.85 billion in revenue to the region and added: “I am delighted that following constructive discussions with all three ports, we are able to commit to using a local port for operations and maintenance.

“These port authorities have worked closely with us to get to this point and I would encourage local businesses to do likewise.”

The company will pursue a memoranda of understanding with all three ports.

This will maximise the opportunities for construction activities, including turbine assembly, developing the wind park foundations and helping the ports’ developments.

‘Full potential’ He added: “This demonstrates our commitment to working with local partners wherever possible, and to realising the full potential of the wind park to the region.”

Potential contracts on offer include steel fabrication, concrete supply, onshore civil engineering, labour supply, plant hire and marine support services.

He says it will boost apprenticeship and education programmes in the area and will increase trade for hotels and restaurants.

Isle of Wight County Council sustainability Cabinet member Cllr Luisa Hillard welcomed the potential jobs.

She added: “We are committed to making the Island more self-sufficient in energy and the Navitus Bay park is an important piece of this puzzle, providing renewable energy