ScottishPower and Masdar have installed the first turbine at the East Anglia THREE offshore windfarm featuring 115-metre blades, the largest used in the UK.
ScottishPower said the £4 billion project will comprise 95 turbines and 285 blades manufactured in the UK at Siemens Gamesa’s factory in Hull.
Masdar added that the 1.4GW East Anglia THREE project will generate enough electricity to power more than 1.3 million homes when complete.
The turbines stand around 262 metres tall with a rotor diameter of 236 metres and each has a capacity of 14MW.
“This is a defining moment – and a UK industry first – for ScottishPower, Iberdrola and Masdar as we celebrate and accelerate the deployment of homegrown renewable energy at scale,” said Charlie Jordan, chief executive of ScottishPower Renewables.
“East Anglia THREE will be the biggest and most powerful offshore windfarm in our portfolio.”
“This is a milestone moment for the UK’s offshore wind sector, with the completion of the first turbine for East Anglia THREE representing a truly monumental achievement,” said Husain Al Meer, director of global offshore wind at Masdar.
“We are proud to work alongside ScottishPower and Iberdrola to bring this project to fruition and to be playing our part in securing the UK’s clean energy future, while helping to create jobs and drive sustainable growth.”
The blades are seven metres longer than the previous UK record of 108 metres, also manufactured by Siemens Gamesa.
Darren Davidson, UK head of Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, said the blades represent a landmark for offshore wind and are produced at a Hull factory employing more than 1,400 people.
The turbine installation was carried out by Cadeler’s Wind Osprey jack-up vessel, which will be joined by Wind Pace later in the installation programme.