Investment confirmed for world's largest offshore wind farm

TAGS: UK seas wind farm

DONG Energy has confirmed it will build the giant Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm off the Yorkshire coast after taking a final investment decision.

With a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts (GW), Hornsea Project One, capable of powering more than a million UK homes, it will be the world’s first offshore wind farm to exceed 1 GW in capacity and will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm– by a considerable margin.

It will be located 120 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast, spanning an area of 407 square kilometers. The offshore wind farm will have up to 240 turbines, each 190 metres tall.

Siemens has been named preferred supplier for the 7 megawatt (MW) turbines and the new Siemens turbine production facilities in Hull will support the project. A £25million contract has also been awarded to UK infrastructure company Balfour Beatty for the construction of the onshore substation.

Hornsea Project One

Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy UK’s country chairman, said: ‘Hornsea Project One is a world-leading infrastructure project being built right here in the UK. It is ground-breaking and innovative, powering more homes than any offshore wind farm currently in operation.

‘We are making a major financial investment to construct this giant wind farm and this underlines our commitment to the UK market. Hornsea Project One will support the supply chain and help create local jobs. To have the world’s biggest ever offshore wind farm located off the Yorkshire coast is hugely significant, and highlights the vital role offshore wind will play in the UK’s need for new low-carbon energy.’

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd said: ‘Thanks to Government support the UK is the world leader in offshore wind energy and this success story is going from strength to strength.

‘DONG Energy’s investment shows that we are open for business and is a vote of confidence in the UK and in our plan to tackle the legacy of under-investment and build an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century.

‘This project means secure, clean energy for the country, jobs and financial security for working people and their families, and more skills and growth boosting the Northern Powerhouse.’

The project has the potential to create around 2,000 jobs during its construction phase with up to 300 additional jobs supported directly and indirectly throughout its operational phase.

Brent Cheshire added: ‘This is a historic milestone for Hornsea Project One as we are now making a firm and final commitment to invest fully in the project. Almost a decade on from initial planning, and following years of vital development work from a number of different companies in the supply chain, we are now ready to build the world’s largest offshore wind farm.’

As part of the project, DONG Energy will construct the longest ever offshore wind farm high voltage AC electrical system in the world. It will take the clean electricity produced by the wind turbines, transmit it to shore and then feed it into the national grid. This system includes more than 900 kilometres of cables, enough to stretch from Land’s End to John O’Groats.

DONG Energy is the sole owner of Hornsea Project One after acquiring the 66.66% ownership share of SMart Wind in February 2015. DONG Energy also has the project rights to Hornsea Project Two and Hornsea Project Three, which have the potential of 3 GW of offshore wind power capacity in total.

Hornsea Project One is expected to be fully commissioned in 2020.