​Dong Energy installs world’s biggest offshore wind turbine

The MHI Vestas 8MW turbines are the largest in the world and it is the first time they have ever been used in an offshore wind farm

Dong Energy has successfully installed the first of 32 wind turbines at Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm, in Liverpool Bay.

At 195m, the MHI Vestas 8MW turbines are the largest in the world and it is the first time they have ever been used in an offshore wind farm. Once completed the 258MW wind farm will generate enough electricity to power more than 230,000 UK homes.

The 80m blades for the turbines will also be the first locally built blades to be installed at a UK offshore wind farm, having been designed, tested, and manufactured on the Isle of Wight and assembled at MHI Vestas' pre-assembly facility in Belfast.

Claus Bøjle Møller, project director, said: "By using bigger turbines we are able to bring down the cost of providing clean, renewable energy to homes around the UK.

"This positive milestone is a significant achievement for the project and we look forward to producing more green energy here in Liverpool Bay."

Approximately 45 full time employees will work on both the Burbo wind farms out of a newly built operation and maintenance facility in Liverpool for the expected 25-year lifetime of the wind farm.

The project is a joint partnership between Dong Energy, PKA and Kirkbi.