National Grid has connected Dogger Bank, the world’s largest offshore wind farm to its electricity transmission network following the extension of its Creyke Beck 400 kV substation in Yorkshire, UK.
While not yet fully operational, Dogger Bank has has produced its first electricity, marking a major milestone in the development of the UK’s offshore wind industry and the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system.
The wind farm is being constructed in the North Sea in three 1.2 GW phases known as Dogger Bank A, B and C, and is due for completion in 2026. Phase A has been connected to Creyke Beck, phase B is to be connected at the same substation, and phase C is planned to plug into National Grid’s Lackenby substation.
The Hitachi connection
The Dogger Bank connection to the mainland was made using Hitachi Energy’s high-voltage direct current system, the first
time it has been used within the UK grid.
Hitachi provided its HVDC Light system to connect the first phase of the wind farm, which is located 130 km off the northeast coast of England, to the grid, and despite disruption caused by Covid-19, the 1200 MW offshore platform project was successfully executed in a record time of 38 months, and with the highest safety and quality standards.
Image (top left): National Grid Creyke Beck substation – Dogger Bank connection
Image (right): Hitachi Dogger Bank map
