Final Turbine Erected at ‘World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm’
European energy company Vattenfall has announced that it has installed the 100th and final turbine at the ‘world’s largest offshore wind farm’, with construction set to be complete at Thanet by late summer this year. Thanet offshore wind farm is a 300MW scheme and has been under construction since 2008, with onshore construction starting in January 2008 and works offshore commencing in spring 2009. The first turbine was erected in December 2009.
The project is located 12 kilometres off Foreness Point, off the Kent coast and will be the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm when completed this year.
It is made up of 100 Vestas 3MW, V90 wind turbines and will have a total capacity of 300MW when fully operational. According to Vattenfall, this is sufficient to supply the equivalent of more than 200,000 British homes per year with clean electricity.
The last Vestas 3MW wind turbine was installed from the MV Resolution vessel on Thursday June 24.
Milestone
Commenting on the milestone, David Hodkinson, director and head of development at Vattenfall Wind Power in the UK, said: “I would like to thank the hundreds of people whose skill and hard work have led to the installation of the final wind turbine at Thanet Offshore Wind Farm.
“This achievement is a milestone for Vattenfall and the world’s offshore wind industry. The experience Vattenfall has gained on Thanet is contributing already to our drive to make our future offshore wind projects safer and more cost effective to install and operate, both of which are needed to establish the sector as a major source of low carbon electricity and jobs.”
He also thanked Thanet district council and the residents in the Isle of Thanet for their support in building the project and claimed that it is important to secure business and jobs in the region through the investment.
Councillor Roger Latchford, from Thanet district council, said: “The Thanet offshore wind farm is already putting the area at the forefront of this innovative industry.
“As well as bringing much-needed jobs and opportunities into the area, the wind farms are helping to raise the profile of the Port of Ramsgate and what has to offer companies coming into Thanet.”
Source: New Energy Focus
See Related Report: Wind Power Report – 2010
