Dong Energy To Build New Record-Sized Offshore Wind Farm

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With a capacity of 1.2 GW, the Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm in the U.K. will be the world’s first offshore wind farm to exceed 1,000 MW in capacity on completion and, by a large margin, become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, making it able to meet the electricity needs of well over 1 million homes.

“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 U.K. 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.

Final Stage Toward Delivering on the Strategic Target
Hornsea will be the final stage toward Dong Energy delivering on its strategic target of installing 6.5 GW of offshore wind by 2020.

“Reaching our strategic target is important as volume is required to reduce the cost of a new technology,” Poulsen said. “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.”

Hornsea 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, meaning that Hornsea will be almost double its size.

“Our decision to construct this giant wind farm underlines our commitment to the U.K. market,” said Brent Cheshire, country chairman for Dong Energy U.K. “Hornsea Project One will support the supply chain and help create local jobs. To have the world’s biggest offshore wind farm located off the Yorkshire coast is significant and highlights the vital role offshore wind will play in the need for new low-carbon energy in the U.K.” 

— Source: Dong Energy

For more information,
go to www.dongenergy.com.