Shell is coming in for criticism after pulling out of a flagship wind farm project off the Kent coast, plunging the scheme into uncertainty.

Just days after announcing profits of almost £4billion, the energy giant revealed it plans to sell its stake in the £1.5billion London Array project - which would see more than 270 turbines in the Thames Estuary off Thanet. Ramsgate was expecting the creation of hundreds of new jobs.

North Thanet MP Roger Gale said: "This is clearly not helpful at a time when contracts for the project are due to be awarded. It is a pity that Shell appears to be more interested in investing in the Far East in petroleum-related facilities rather than putting money into UK renewables."

Nick Rau, an energy campaigner with Friends of the Earth, said: "I'm very disappointed in Shell. For years it's been portraying itself as a green, progressive company but it is much more interested in sucking more oil and gas out of the ground than investing in green technologies.

"The London Array is a very good project. Offshore wind is absolutely essential if we are going to meet our EU renewable energy commitments and tackle climate change."

The London Array scheme was backed in Thanet but sparked controversy in Swale when the local council turned down plans for a sub-station at Graveney, near Faversham. Although residents campaigned against the sub-station, which would feed energy from the wind farm into the National Grid, an inspector ruled that the scheme could go ahead.

Hugh Robertson, the MP for Faversham and Mid Kent, has also spoken out against Shell's decision. He said: "Everyone locally was opposed to the scheme. The only support came from the Government and Friends of the Earth.

"That support has helped Shell make a profit while all those who enjoy the beauty of the Kent marshes are left with a construction site and the local villagers are left wondering if their community enhancements will be delivered."

Under the scheme, 271 Danish-made turbines would be embedded in Kentish Knock and Long Sand 12 miles off the Thanet coast.

They would be big enough to supply a quarter of London's domestic energy or the whole of Kent and East Sussex. The turbines would be as high as the London Eye with rotors as long as a football pitch and blades as wide as the wingspan of a Jumbo jet.

Other consortium members must now decide whether to buy Shell's stake or seek an alternative buyer.

Andrew Murfin, London Array project director, said: "E.ON and DONG Energy are assessing their options in light of this news. Meanwhile, work on key aspects of the project is continuing."

Laura Sandys, prospective Tory candidate for South Thanet, added: "This source of renewable energy is a vital component in the UK's efforts to reduce carbon emissions and must be protected as a programme."