World’s largest offshore wind farm on the way to the Yorkshire coast

DONG Energy has taken the final investment decision to build the proposed giant Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm, capable of powering well over 1mn UK homes, off the Yorkshire coast. With a capacity of 1.2 GW, Hornsea Project One will become – by a considerable margin – the world’s largest offshore wind farm.

To be located 120 km off the Yorkshire coast, Hornsea Project One will span a huge area of approximately 400 m² and use 7 MW wind turbines, each one 190 m tall. Siemens has been named preferred supplier for the turbines and the new Siemens turbine production facilities in Hull will support the project. A £25mn contract has also been awarded to Balfour Beatty for the construction of the onshore substation.

Meanwhile, contractors have been battling adverse weather conditions to install the first turbine foundations at the proposed Rampion Offshore Wind Farm 13 km off the Sussex coast. Work to prepare the seabed for the 116 turbines began in September last year. The 400 MW project, being built by E.ON, the UK Green Investment Bank and Canadian energy company Enbridge, will be the first offshore wind farm off the south coast of England.

Chris Tomlinson, E.ON Development Manager for the Rampion Offshore Wind Farm, said: ‘After almost six years of development, including community engagement, engineering and environmental surveys, it’s a really proud moment to finally be installing the first foundations.’

Last, DONG Energy has signed a lease for construction base facilities at the Cammell Laird site in Birkenhead to serve as the focal point for the construction of the Burbo Bank Extension in Liverpool Bay. The wind farm will consist of 32 turbines; the first large wind farm to deploy the new MHI Vestas 8 MW turbine.

The company has also completed an agreement to divest 50% of the 258 MW project to Danish pension provider PKA and KIRKBI, parent company of the LEGO Group.