The first of 35 Siemens 6 MW turbines has been successfully erected at the Westermost Rough offshore wind farm, a joint venture between DONG Energy (50%) and its partners Marubeni Corporation (25%) and the UK Green Investment Bank (25%).
The Westermost Rough offshore wind farm marks the first time that the next generation Siemens 6 MW turbine will be used on a commercial scale _ an important step on DONG EnergyÕs cost of energy reduction strategy. The wind farm will have a capacity of 210 MW, producing enough electricity to power approximately 210 000 homes.
Duncan Clark, Westermost Rough Programme Director at DONG Energy said: ÒThis is the first time we have installed the Siemens 6 MW turbine with a 154 m diameter rotor on a commercial scale following smaller demonstration projects, and it represents a step-change in our ability to provide more energy output from fewer turbines.Ó
Michael Hannibal, CEO Offshore of Siemens Wind Power said: ÒOnly a few days after our D6 wind turbine obtained its final certification it is in place for commercial operation. We are very proud to achieve this milestone on the way to enhancing efficiency and lowering the cost of offshore wind energy with our innovative direct drive technology.Ó
It is expected that the turbine installation on Westernmost Rough will be completed in first half 2015.
Situated approximately 8 km off the Holderness coast, the Westermost Rough site is one of two offshore wind farms that DONG Energy is currently constructing in the UK along with West of Duddon Sands on the west coast.
The wind farms, which will be operational in 2015 and 2014, respectively, represent more than 500 MW of green electricity that will be added to the UK grid.