World’s biggest offshore windfarm approved

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windfarmPlans for the world’s biggest offshore windfarm have been given the green light by the UK energy secretary, with planning permission for an array of up to 400 turbines 80 miles off the Yorkshire coast on the Dogger Bank. The project, more than twice the size of the UK’s current biggest offshore wind farm, is expected to cost £6bn to £8bn and could fulfil 2.5% of the UK’s electricity needs. Covering about 430 square miles, the Dogger Bank Creyke Beck project will - if fully constructed - generate enough electricity to power nearly 2mn homes, and could support an estimated 900 jobs in Yorkshire and Humberside, according to the government.

Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat energy and climate change secretary, said: “Making the most of Britain’s home grown energy is creating jobs and businesses in the UK, getting the best deal for consumers and reducing our reliance on foreign imports. Wind power is vital to this plan, with £14.5bn invested since 2010 into an industry which supports 35,400 jobs.” Although the UK does not manufacture large wind turbines, the department of energy and climate change says half of the costs associated with building and operating a wind farm are spent buying services and products from UK businesses.

Dogger has long been mooted as a possible location for offshore wind farms, because the shallow seabed, only about 30 metres deep, should make it easier to lay foundations and construct large turbines there, but no company has yet ventured into the area. If built, the Creyke Beck turbines would be the furthest offshore that have ever been attempted. Nick Medic, director of offshore renewables at RenewableUK, the wind industry association, said: “This is an awesome project and will surely be considered as one of the most significant infrastructure projects ever undertaken by the wind industry.

Dogger Bank demonstrates the sheer potential of offshore technology to turn our vast ocean and wind resources into green energy. “It is a project that pushes the offshore engineering envelope, demonstrating how far this technology has evolved in the 10 short years since the first major offshore wind farm was installed in North Hoyle just five miles from shore.” Construction of the first turbines could still be years away, however. The Forewind consortium which is behind the 2,400MW capacity project has yet to make a final investment decision. The consortium comprises Scottish and Southern Energy, Germany’s RWE, and Norway’s Statoil and Statkraft, the former the country’s majority state-owned oil business and the latter its state-owned electricity company.

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1 COMMENT

  1. Turbine has been successful to be driven by steam and gas both.On ships they have to be driven via single and double reduction gearing to rotate propellers.This engine can avoid big Pistons and cylinders, more and more so if more power is required. Less maintenance and less opening up for repairs., where upon pistons need to be checked and rings need to be renewed with motor ships. Ships are not being driven by the gas turbine in abundance..Easy to disconnect send ashore for repairs and get them back next port. Parts are not heavy to transport by air.Water turbine would be an ideal and to drive by air will be much cheaper as well.