POWER from the first turbine at the Dogger Bank project, the biggest offshore windfarm in the world, is now being sent to the UK’s national grid.
The project isn’t due to be complete until 2026, when 277 turbines will be powered-up on location, all situated between 81 and 124 miles (130-200km) off the Yorkshire coast.
It’s been developed and built by SSE Renewables in a joint venture with Norway’s Equinor and Vårgrønn.
Every rotation of the blades on the first operational turbine will be enough to power one UK home for two days, according to SSE.
Once fully complete, it’s estimated that the windfarm will be able to power six million UK homes.
It will deliver yearly CO2 savings equivalent to removing 1.5 million cars from the road.
Bolstering energy security
It’s record-breaking 3.6GW capacity has been widely welcomed across the UK and comes just a year after SSE switched on Seagreen, Scotland’s largest offshore windfarm.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “Offshore wind is critical to generating renewable, efficient energy that can power British homes from British seas. I’m proud that this country is already a world leader in reaching Net Zero by 2050, and by doubling down on the new green industries of the future, we’ll get there in a way that’s both pragmatic and ambitious.
“That’s why it’s fantastic to see the world’s largest wind farm, Dogger Bank, generating power for the first time today from UK waters, which will not only bolster our energy security, but create jobs, lower electricity bills and keep us on track for Net Zero.”
Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said: “There’s been lots of talk about the need to build homegrown energy supplies, but we are taking action on a massive scale.”