The UK’s Dogger Bank, which is the world’s largest offshore wind farm, has successfully installed its first 13 MW turbines. Two GE Renewable Energy Haliade-X turbines are now in place at Dogger Bank A, located around 80 miles off the coast of Yorkshire, England. These turbines were installed by the Voltaire, the largest offshore jack-up installation vessel ever built, with a lifting capacity of 3,200 tonnes. Standing at 260 meters tall, the turbines are as tall as the Rockefeller Center in New York and each rotation of their 107-meter-long blades can power an average UK household for two days.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm will occupy an extensive area on the seabed, equivalent to the size of Greater London, which was once a land bridge between the UK and Europe. Once fully operational, the wind farm, consisting of 277 turbines with a capacity of 3.6 GW, will generate enough clean energy to power approximately six million households annually. Additionally, it will result in annual CO2 savings equivalent to the emissions of nearly 1.5 million average gas-powered cars.
Furthermore, all 95 monopile foundations have been completed at the Dogger Bank A site. The development and construction of the world’s largest offshore wind farm is a joint venture between UK developer SSE Renewables, Equinor from Norway, and Vårgrønn, a joint venture by Eni Plenitude and Hitec Vision.
Equinor EVP Renewables Pål Eitrheim expressed excitement about the project, stating that they are looking forward to operating Dogger Bank and generating green electricity at scale. The wind farm will also bring economic benefits, as the new O&M base at the Port of Tyne will provide 400 jobs over the 35-year lifespan of the facility.
In conclusion, the ongoing development of the Dogger Bank Wind Farm represents a significant milestone in the UK’s offshore renewable energy sector. With its impressive scale, the wind farm will contribute to reducing carbon emissions and providing clean energy to millions of households.