Green light for world's largest wind farm

DONG Energy has confirmed the go-ahead for the world's largest offshore wind farm in the North Sea. The Hornsea Project One array of 174 turbines will be built 120km off the coast of Humberside and South Yorkshire and is expected to be operational by 2020. With an installed capacity of 1.2 gigawatts, Hornsea Project One will be the world's first off shore wind farm to exceed 1GW. Each 7MW turbine will stand 190m high with a blade rotation diameter of over 150m.

Today's announcement of a 'positive investment decision' effectively also confirms a multibillion pound investment in the UK's offshore wind supply chain. According to a DONG spokesman, the company is spending £6bn through its supply chain in the Humberside area between 2013 and 2019. Siemens' new turbine facility under construction in Hull will supply the Hornsea One array. Green Port Hull will support the project. Balfour Beatty has secured a £25m contract for construction of an onshore transmission substation.

DONG Energy's UK chairman, Brent Cheshire, said" "Hornsea Project One is a world-leading infrastructure project being built right here in the UK. We are making a major financial investment to construct this giant wind farm, underlining 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."

The Hornsea One array will cover an area of over 400 square kilometres in the 'Hornsea Zone' in the North Sea. DONG Energy has project rights for development of Hornsea Two and Three which have the potential to supply a further 3GW of energy.