Described by developer SSE Renewables as “a major milestone in the development of the offshore wind industry and the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system”, first power was delivered after installation of the first GE Vernova Haliade-X 13MW turbine. Each rotation of the 107m-long blades can produce enough clean energy to power an average British home for two days.
The 3.6GW wind farm is being built 130km off the coast of Yorkshire, in three 1.2GW phases known as Dogger Bank A, B and C. Power from the first turbine at phase A is now being transmitted to the UK’s national grid via the farm’s high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission system, the first time such technology has been used on a UK wind farm.
When complete the installation will have 277 turbines, capable of producing enough clean energy to power 6m homes annually and deliver carbon dioxide savings equivalent to removing 1.5m cars from the road.
Each of the 260 metre turbines will be progressively commissioned between now and full commercial operation in 2026. When complete, Dogger Bank will be more than two-and-a-half times the size of the largest offshore wind farm currently in operation, occupying an area almost as large as Greater London and nearly twice the size of New York city.
“Offshore wind is critical to generating renewable, efficient energy that can power British homes from British seas,” said prime minister Rishi Sunak.
“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.”
Dogger Bank is being developed and built by the UK’s SSE Renewables in a joint venture with Norway’s Equinor and Vårgrønn, a joint venture of Eni Plenitude and HitecVision. Equinor will be lead operator of the wind farm on completion, for its expected operational life of about 35 years.
“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,” said Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE.
“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.”
Anders Opedal, CEO of Equinor, said: “Set against the broader energy context, Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm demonstrates the best of what the offshore wind industry can offer, with innovative technologies, long-term jobs and economic growth and security of electricity supply at a major scale.
“A renewable mega-project like Dogger Bank constitutes an industrial wind hub in the heart of the North Sea, playing a major role in the UK’s ambitions for offshore wind and supporting its net zero ambitions.
“First power from Dogger Bank is a testament to the collaboration between the authorities, the project partners, suppliers and our host communities to realise this project.”
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