Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of the organisation, said: “[This] is an important step in making this historic project a reality. It signals the start of creating a new landmark in the North Sea. Its size is guaranteed to bring a multitude of benefits to the UK, [such as] a huge amount of inward investment and the creation of local jobs. It will play an important part in meeting our commitments [under the Paris accord on climate change and] help create the new energy infrastructure this country desperately needs.”