Innogy has officially opened its 353MW Galloper wind farm 27km off Suffolk in England.
The project, Innogy’s fifth offshore wind effort in the UK, features 56 Siemens Gamesa turbines rated at 6.3MW.
Innogy chief operating officer for renewables Hans Bunting said: “During its operating lifetime, almost 60% of the investment in Galloper is expected to go to UK companies.
“Offshore wind is now a key industrial sector for the UK and offers particular opportunities to key regional hubs, such as East Anglia.”
Innogy highlighted the speed of installation at the project, which saw GeoSea jack-up Innovation install four monopile and transition piece foundations a week between December 2016 and March 2017.
Swire Blue Ocean jack-up Pacific Orca added turbines in a single campaign between May and December last year.
Galloper project director Toby Edmonds said: “Galloper was a great team effort with main contractors all contributing to ensure the wind farm was built with such awe-inspiring speed, efficiency and with an exemplary safety record.
“Galloper was a great team effort with main contractors: Siemens Gamesa , GE and Petrofac, VBMS, NKT, GeoSea and National Grid; plus the myriad of national and local suppliers all contributing.”
Minister of State for energy and clean growth Claire Perry said the project was “testament to the work government and industry have done together to bring forward so much of this fantastic energy source at such competitive prices”.
The project is owned by Innogy, Macquarie Capital, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo Corporation, ESB and a consortium managed by Green Investment Group and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
Innogy led the development and construction and its ongoing operation on behalf of the project partners.