ScottishPower and Masdar’s 1.4 GW East Anglia Three offshore windfarm has set a UK offshore wind record with the installation of its first turbine – the first in the UK to feature 115 metre blades, the biggest ever manufactured and used in the UK. They are seven metres longer than the previous record of 108 metres – also manufactured by Siemens Gamesa. All 285 of the blades for the project’s 95 turbines are being manufactured at Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Hull, UK.
Standing around 262 metres high the 14 MW turbines have a rotor diameter of 236 metres. Charlie Jordan, ScottishPower Renewables CEO said: “East Anglia Three will be the biggest and most powerful offshore windfarm in our portfolio. [It] will play a crucial role in the UK’s clean energy future and it’s fantastic to see our vision come to life.”
Located off the Suffolk coast in the UK, East Anglia Three will be among the world’s largest offshore windfarms when it comes into operation. Husain Al Meer, director of Global Offshore Wind at Masdar said: “We see tremendous potential for offshore wind, not just in the UK but across the wider European market, where offshore wind can provide critical energy security, power economic progress and help nations achieve their clean energy objectives.”
Turbine installation was executed by Cadeler’s O-class ‘Wind Osprey’ jack-up vessel, which will be joined later soon by the next generation P-class ‘Wind Pace’ on its first deployment in European waters as the installation programme continues.
Mikkel Gleerup, Cadeler CEO said: “By deploying two of our vessels in parallel, we can maintain a consistent and efficient installation pace throughout the campaign. This also marks Wind Pace’s first project in European waters since her delivery last year. Built to install the next generation of turbines, she brings increased capacity and operational flexibility, enhancing installation efficiency and supporting a more streamlined programme.”
