The new 1.2 GW offshore wind farm will be capable of powering well over 1 million UK homes and will be the first offshore wind farm in the world to exceed 1 GW in capacity, thereby becoming the world’s largest such facility. It will be located 120 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast and has the potential to create 2,000 jobs during its construction phase with up to 300 additional direct and indirect jobs throughout its operational phase.
“Hornsea Project One is a world-leading infrastructure project being built right here in the UK” said Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy UK's Country Chairman. “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.”
UK Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd added that DONG Energy’s investment shows that the UK is open for business and is vote of confidence in the country and the government’s plant to build an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century.
The wind farm will cover an area of approximately 407 square kilometres, over five times the size of the city of Hull. It will utilise Siemens 7 MW offshore wind turbines, each of which has a height of 190 metres – taller than the Gherkin building in London. Siemens turbine production facilities in Hull will support the project and UK infrastructure company Balfour Beatty will construct the £25 million onshore substation.
The project will include the construction by DONG Energy of the longest offshore wind farm high voltage AC electrical system in the world incorporating more than 900 kilometres of cables. This will take the clean electricity generated by the turbines, transmit it to shore and then feed it into the national grid.
DONG Energy is the sole owner of Hornsea Project One and has the project rights to Hornsea Project Two and Hornsea Project Three, which have 3 GW of capacity in total. Hornsea Project One is expected to be fully commissioned in 2020.
Image: Walney offshore wind farm in the Irish Sea
For additional information:
