World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Starts Generating Electricity

Hornsea 1, the world’s largest offshore wind farm project, is now generating electricity.

Matthew Wright, UK managing director of Danish energy group Ørsted A/S, described the installation of the first turbine as “a globally significant milestone”.

Ørsted co-owns the project with Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP). The project is located 120km off the Yorkshire Coast and will consist of 174 Siemens Gamesa 7MW turbines.

When fully operational, Hornsea 1 offshore wind farm will be nearly double the size (1,218MW) of the current world’s largest offshore wind farm, Walney Extension, and capable of powering well over one million UK homes with renewable electricity, generated by wind.

Claire Perry, Energy & Clean Growth Minister said: “The UK renewables sector is thriving. Last year we saw the world’s largest wind farm open off the coast of Cumbria, and today it’s joined by an even bigger one starting to produce power for the first time. British innovation is central to our modern Industrial Strategy and our upcoming sector deal will ensure UK offshore wind is a global leader as we transition to a greener, smarter energy future.”

So far, 172 out of 174 wind turbine foundations have been installed at the site, and turbine installation is expected to continue until late summer 2019. The project is projected to be completed and fully operational in 2020.