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Orsted has commenced operations on the Hornsea One offshore windfarm located around 120 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire.
Hornsea One is set to take the title of the world’s largest offshore windfarm once completed in 2020. It will feature 174 of Siemens Gamesa’s 7MW turbines, giving it a total capacity of more than 1.2GW.
The first turbine began generating power in February and more than 50 have now been installed. A team of 32 set sail on Friday (31 May) to begin the non-stop task of operating and maintaining the turbines throughout their 25-year lifespans.
David Coussens, the shift leader and deputy operations manager for Hornsea One, said: “Operating a windfarm this far offshore is unprecedented. We’ve had to think creatively and come up with new ways of working to overcome the logistical and technical challenges of operating a massive power station 120km from the shore, about the same distance as Grimsby to Leeds.
“A big part of this is our people, and ensuring offshore life is as comfortable as possible for them. There is even 4G internet connection already out there, a huge feat given the distance from shore. I am really looking forward to our first two-week shift.”
Hornsea One head of operations Morten Holm said: “Hornsea One changes the game in the way we produce clean electricity around the globe. It’s the first of a new generation of offshore windfarms, that are much bigger than anyone has ever attempted to build before.
“The speed of construction has been phenomenal, and it’s thanks to the hundreds of dedicated people working on the project, that the project is on schedule to eventually generate enough clean electricity for over a million homes across the UK.
“It’s an exciting moment for me personally, but also for the UK as the world watches the progress with this record-breaking windfarm.”
Hornsea One was awarded a contract for difference at a strike price of £140/MWh (2012 prices) as part of a non-competitive allocation round ahead of the first auctions. The third competitive allocation round kicked-off last month.
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