First power has been generated from the second and final stage of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm developed by Orsted.
Walney Extension will pass the London Array to become the world’s largest operational offshore wind farm when it is completed in the second half of 2018.
The 659MW project, located around 19 miles off the coast of Cumbria in the Irish Sea, is being constructed in two phases using turbines from two different manufacturers.
MHI Vestas has nearly completed the commissioning of 40 of its 8MW turbines which it installed for the first phase. The second phase will feature 47 of Siemens Gamesa’s 7MW turbines. The first three have been installed and are now generating power.
In November, Orsted agreed to sell half of the wind farm to two Danish pensions fund – PKA and PFA – for around £2 billion.
Speaking on behalf of all three owners, Andrew Cotterell, Walney Extension programme director at Orsted, said: “We are very pleased with the progress we are making on the project and remain on schedule, despite some quite challenging weather conditions.
“In general, both offshore and onshore works are well advanced and our focus is set on completion in the second half of 2018.”
Siemens Gamesa managing director of the UK and Ireland, Clark MacFarlane, commented: “Siemens Gamesa is delighted to see this exciting and world-leading project nearing completion. For Siemens Gamesa, it is world-leading also as it is the first installation of our 7MW turbines.
“In less than a year, we shall see a further half million UK homes benefitting from clean, green energy for years to come.”