Burbo Bank extension project, which can meet demand from more than 230,000 homes, will also see the creation of 45 jobs at its onshore Merseyside operations facility. Tony McDonough reports
Liverpool Bay is now the global leader is wind power technology after the biggest and most powerful turbines in the world became operational off the Merseyside coast.
Burbo Bank extension project, which can meet demand from more than 230,000 homes, is the first in the world to install the 8MW MHI Vestas turbines.
Just one of these wind turbines produces more energy than the whole of Vindeby, the world’s first offshore windfarm constructed by DONG Energy 25 years ago in Denmark.
The wind farm is a joint venture between DONG Energy (50%) and its partners PKA (25%) and KIRKBI A/S, parent company of the LEGO Group (25%).
Henrik Poulsen, DONG Energy chief executive, said: “Burbo Bank Extension showcases the rapid innovation in the offshore wind industry.
“Less than ten years ago at Burbo Bank, we were the first to install Siemens 3.6MW wind turbines and in this short time, the wind turbines have more than doubled in capacity.
“Pushing innovation in this way reduces the cost of electricity from offshore wind and will help to advance the offshore wind industry across the world.
“The project has also helped to develop the UK supply chain. It is the first offshore windfarm to use UK manufactured blades and the order for transition pieces was the first for Teesside factory Offshore Structures Britain.”
DONG Energy is building a new multi-million pound operations facility in Merseyside that will serve both Burbo Bank Extension, and the existing wind farm in the area, Burbo Bank.
Up to 75 jobs will be created during the construction of the facility, while around 45 people will be permanently employed at the site once it is operational, later this year.
Liverpool City Region’s newly-elected Metro Mayor, Steve Rotheram, added: “The offshore wind industry has a huge contribution to make to the growing UK-based supply chain.
“Utilising our renewable energy sources is vital to ensuring the Liverpool City Region cements its position as a low carbon leader.
“The Burbo Bank extension places Merseyside and Halton as home to the largest turbines in the world – and we have a strong maritime history which can support this industry.”
DONG Energy is currently operating 17 offshore wind farms across the UK, Germany and Denmark and was recently the world’s first developer to reach the installation of 1,000 offshore wind turbines.