On 17 April 2012, DONG Energy received full consent to test two next generation offshore wind turbines at the Gunfleet Sands site. 

This is the first time that the Siemens 6 MW turbine will be tested offshore and DONG Energy’s first demonstration project in the UK.

The Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project marks an important step in industry's efforts to reduce the cost of energy. The Round 3 projects in the UK are in deeper waters and will have a much bigger capacity than existing wind
farms so the technology will increase in capacity as well.

The Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project is located 8.5 km
south east of Clacton on Sea.