DONG Energy has chosen Siemens’ 7.0-MW wind turbines for the Hornsea offshore wind site.
DONG Energy has made a final investment decision to build the giant Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm (Hornsea) in the UK. With a capacity of 1.2 GW, Hornsea will on completion be the world’s first offshore wind farm to exceed 1,000 MW in capacity and by a large margin become the world’s largest offshore wind farm.
“We are excited about building this huge wind farm and pushing the boundaries of the offshore wind industry,” said Henrik Poulsen, CEO of DONG Energy. “Hornsea, together with Race Bank, Westermost Rough, and Lincs, will make up a giant production area off the British east coast, supporting our efforts to deliver green and independent energy to society.”
Hornsea was granted a Final Investment Decision Enabling contract (Contract for Difference) by the UK Government in April 2014, and will receive a fixed tariff for the first 15 years of production. The wind farm is expected to be fully commissioned in 2020.
Hornsea will also represent the final stage toward DONG Energy delivering on its strategic target of installing 6.5 GW of offshore wind by 2020. The company is the sole owner of Hornsea after acquiring the 66.66% ownership share from Smart Wind in February 2015. DONG Energy also has the project rights to Hornsea Project Two and Three, which have the potential of further 3-GW offshore wind power capacity in total.
“Reaching our strategic target is important as volume is required to reduce the cost of a new technology. It is vital in order to make all players in the value chain advance up the learning curve. As such Hornsea will be another major step in our ongoing efforts to significantly reduce the cost of electricity for offshore wind,” Poulsen added.
Hornsea is located 120 km off the Yorkshire coast and covers approximately 407 square-kilometers. It will surpass Walney Extension, which had a final investment decision in October 2015, as the world’s largest offshore wind farm. Walney Extension will have a capacity of 660 MW so Hornsea is almost double the size.
Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy UK’ Country Chairman, said: “Our decision to construct this giant wind farm 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.”
DONG Energy
www.dongenergy.com
Filed Under: News, Offshore wind, Projects
