World’s largest offshore wind farm generates power

• 12 years ago (2012-10-30)
• David Flin

Europe 1089 North America 1021 Renewables 776

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The first power has been generated from the world’s largest offshore wind farm, the London Array project, located around 12 miles off the coasts of Kent and Essex in the Thames Estuary in the UK. The first phase of the London Array project is for 175 turbines generating a combined total of 630 MW. Already, 151 turbines have been installed since construction began in March 2011.

If it is approved, the second phase of the project will add enough turbines to bring the total capacity of the wind farm to 870 MW. The plans have had to be resubmitted with a reduction in the area that the turbines would cover following concerns that the scheme would affect the population of red-throated diver birds in the estuary.

Dong Energy has a 50 per cent stake in the project, E.ON owns 30 per cent, and the Abu Dhabi renewables company Masdar has a 20 per cent stake.

Benj Sykes, Wind UK Country Manager at Dong Energy, said: “With its 630 MW, the London Array project will be the first of the next generation of larger offshore wind farms, and we are pleased to have reached first power. Being able to efficiently develop large offshore wind farms and harvest the scale advantages in both construction and operation is an important element in our continuous efforts to bring down the costs of energy of offshore wind.”

Dr Tony Cocker, Chief Executive of E.ON UK, described the first generation of power as an important milestone, not only for London Array, but also for the global renewables sector. He said: “We firmly believe that electricity from renewable sources has a vital part to play in helping us deliver energy in a way that is sustainable, affordable, and secure, and this is why we are aiming to reduce the costs of offshore wind by 40 per cent by 2015.”