Construction began about 130 kilometers off the coast of Yorkshire, on the planet’s largest offshore wind energy complex. The project is known as Dogger Bank, and the build of its 277 wind turbines has been advancing over several weeks.
The process involved transporting and placing these turbines, each standing 260 meters tall. A dedicated vessel named Voltaire, with a lifting capacity of 3,200 tonnes, was developed to handle the heavy lifting and is the world’s largest of its kind.
The Dogger Bank wind farm stretches across a seabed area roughly as expansive as Greater London, a landscape that once formed a land bridge between the United Kingdom and Europe.
It will power about 6 million homes
Upon completion, the project will boast an installed capacity of 3.6 gigawatts, more than two and a half times larger than the world’s next-biggest offshore wind farm. This capacity is projected to supply clean energy sufficient for approximately six million homes, according to the project’s official statements.
A early milestone saw the installation of the initial 13 MW GE Haliade-X turbines, among the most powerful in the world. This phase represented a crucial step for a landmark project developed and constructed by the British operator SSE Renewables.
This development underscores the economic and employment potential of large-scale renewable energy, with Dogger Bank generating more than 2,000 jobs, particularly in the northeast of England, before the wind turbines began operating.
Energy independence
At the project’s inception, UK Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden highlighted the benefits: clean, affordable energy for millions of homes and enhanced energy security for the country. He noted that improving energy resilience helps Britain address global supply disruptions and contributes to national safety in partnership with Dogger Bank stakeholders.
Moreover, the project marks a significant stride in offshore wind development, tackling the technical challenges posed by the rough North Sea and signaling a future path for similar parks. Company technicians anticipate continuing advances in design and installation practices to expand offshore wind capacity.
Other milestones at Dogger Bank include the adoption of new 13 MW and 14 MW turbine technologies, as well as the world’s first unmanned high voltage direct current offshore substation platform and the first use of HVDC technology on a UK wind farm.
Additionally, the macro wind farm will be supported by a sizable stationary battery installation in Cottingham near Hull. The park comprises 78 Tesla Megapacks, delivering up to 98 MW of power and a usable energy capacity of 196 MWh.
Wind advancements in other regions
Wind energy is setting records beyond Europe as well. In that same season, China announced the commissioning of a record-breaking turbine with a rotor diameter of 260 meters. This turbine is designed to endure the region’s intense typhoon winds and is expected to generate about 67 million kilowatt hours of electricity per year, enough to power around 80,000 people. The model, known as the MySE18.X-28X, was developed by Mingyang Smart Energy.
Compared to earlier 13 MW installations, the higher power of the new turbine reduces the number of devices needed for a one gigawatt facility, potentially lowering construction costs by substantial margins according to Mingyang’s statements.
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Environmental concerns and industry developments in renewable energy are tracked by official bodies and independent researchers, who publish ongoing analyses and assessments with attribution to project teams and regulatory authorities.