DOGGER Bank has started producing electricity for the first time in a major milestone for the world’s largest offshore wind farm currently under construction.
The build, located 70 miles off the coast of Yorkshire, is being led by Perth-headquartered SSE Renewables and Norwegian firms, Equinor and Vårgrønn.
First power was achieved following the installation of GE Vernova’s ‘groundbreaking’ Haliade-X 13MW turbines, which SSE said are one of the largest and most powerful globally.
Each rotation of the 107m long blades on Dogger Bank’s first operational turbine can produce enough clean energy to power an average British home for two days, with it marking the first time Haliade-X units have been energised offshore anywhere in the world.
At 260-metres tall, the gigantic turbines at Dogger Bank are almost twice the size of the London Eye and the same height as New York’s iconic Rockefeller Centre. A total of 277 turbines will eventually occupy an area almost as large as Greater London, with each turbine being progressively commissioned between now and full operation in 2026 – with it having the capability to power the equivalent of six million homes annually.
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, added, “There’s been lots of talk about the need to build homegrown energy supplies, but we are taking action on a massive scale. Dogger Bank will provide a significant boost to UK energy security, affordability and leadership in tackling climate change. This is exactly how we should be responding to the energy crisis.
“But it is also a landmark moment for the global offshore wind industry, with Dogger Bank demonstrating just what can be achieved when policymakers, investors, industry, and communities work together to achieve something truly remarkable.
“The innovations this pioneering project has developed will also mean future developments can be built faster and more efficiently, accelerating the clean energy transition. Now, of course, the challenge is to accelerate the next wave of these projects and we look forward to working with governments to bring these forward as soon as possible.”
