Ørsted selects Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy as exclusive supplier for world’s biggest offshore wind farm
Ørsted formerly Dong Energy, has selected Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) as exclusive supplier for the wind turbines for Hornsea Project Two, which will be the world’s biggest offshore wind farm when operational in 2022.
The project will deploy the SGRE eight megawatt (MW) turbine with 167 metre rotors, with the majority of the turbine blades delivered from the SGRE facility in Hull.
As part of the agreement, SGRE also plans to partly source the wind turbine towers from the UK.
Hornsea Project Two will be built 89 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast and has a capacity of 1.4 gigawatts (GW), meaning it will produce enough green energy to power over 1.3 million UK homes. Hornsea Project Two will be operated from Ørsted’s new operations and maintenance hub in Grimsby, where construction is underway.
Duncan Clark, Programme Director for Hornsea Project Two at Ørsted, said: ‘We’re pleased to have selected Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy (SGRE) for the delivery of turbines for the world’s biggest offshore wind farm. The SGRE factory in Hull has already been producing blades for our Race Bank and Walney Extension projects and will produce the majority of blades for Hornsea Project One. This selection paves the way for more, and even larger, UK made blades at a UK offshore wind farm, underlining this country’s world-leading position in the sector.
‘Hornsea Project Two is a game-changing renewable energy project in terms of both size and cost, and this selection is an important step in the procurement and construction process. We look forward to working with SGRE and other suppliers to bring to life this transformational project.’
Hornsea Project Two was awarded a Contract for Difference (CfD) at the lowest-ever price for offshore wind in the UK in September 2017. The strike price is 50% lower than the previous round of CfD allocations in 2015.
When operational, Hornsea Project Two will surpass the giant 1.2GW Hornsea Project One – currently being constructed by Ørsted – as the world’s biggest offshore wind farm. Ørsted is also in the consultation process for Hornsea Project Three.
Facts about Hornsea Project Two:
- Located 89 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast.
- Total capacity of 1.4GW, producing enough electricity to power over 1.3 million UK homes.
- Expected to be operational from 2022.
- Will support over 2,000 jobs during its construction phase with up to a further 130 permanent jobs for the operational lifetime.
- To be operated from Ørsted’s new operations hub in Grimsby which will be the largest facility of its kind in the UK when built.
Source: Enegy-Pedia