DONG Energy supplying green energy to the British
Today, Danish energy company DONG Energy inaugurates its latest British offshore wind farm, Gunfleet Sands.
Today, Danish energy company DONG Energy inaugurates its latest British offshore wind farm, Gunfleet Sands.
The wind farm, located in the Thames Estuary off the Essex coast, will supply green power corresponding to the annual power consumption of some 125,000 British households. Thus, Gunfleet Sands will contribute significantly to the British ambition of markedly increasing the share of renewable energy in the country’s power production.
Energy Minister Charles Hendry said: “Our island is surrounded by some of the windiest coast in the world and that’s a resource we’ve got to use . I want to make sure we grab all the opportunities the rapidly expanding offshore wind industry has to offer, and that offshore wind power can come of age under this government.”
The first green power from the wind farm was transmitted to shore in August 2009, and the entire wind farm having a total capacity of 172 MW, went into production in March 2010.
Anders Eldrup, CEO of DONG Energy, said: "The United Kingdom has a very ambitious plan for expanding the production of renewable energy and a target of making green energy and reliability of supply go hand in hand. DONG Energy is the market leader in terms of building offshore wind farms, and we are therefore pleased to be able to contribute to the expansion of renewable energy."
DONG Energy is heavily involved in the production and expansion of renewable energy in the UK.
The company is involved in building the three new major offshore wind farms, including what will be the world's largest offshore wind farm London Array (630 MW), due to be commissioned in 2013. The other two wind farms, Walney (367 MW) and Lincs (270 MW) are scheduled for completion in 2011. When commissioned in 2013, London Array will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm. DONG Energy owns 74.9%, 25% and 50% of Walney, Lincs and London Array, respectively.
In addition, DONG Energy currently operates the offshore wind farms Burbo Bank (90 MW) and Barrows (90 MW). Burbo Bank is wholly owned by DONG Energy, whereas Barrows is owned by DONG Energy and Centrica, each with a 50% stake.
For additional information, please contact:
Kathrine Westermann
Media Relations
DONG Energy
+45 9955 9725
Helen MacBain
Senior Press Officer, Communications
Department of Energy and Climate Change
+44 7717 513051 (mobile)
Note to the editor:
Still photos and TV images of the wind farm may be downloaded on:
User name: Media
Password: GunfleetSands
Facts on Gunfleet Sands:
Wind turbines: Siemens SWT-3.6-107
Number of wind turbines: 48
Capacity of each turbine: 3.6 MW
Total capacity: 172 MW
Estimated annual production: 570 GWh
Hub height: 75.5 metres over HAT
Total height including blades: 129 metres
Rotor diameter: 107 metres
Total weight of each turbine: 426 tonnes
Cut in wind (light winds): 4 m/s
Full production (strong winds): 13 m/s
Cut out wind (storm): 25 m/s
Foundation below seabed: 27 - 38 metres
Weight of foundation pile: 225 - 423 tonnes
Weight of transition piece: 160 - 200 tonnes
DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. We are headquartered in Denmark. Our business is based on procuring, producing, distributing and trading in energy and related products in Northern Europe. We have approximately 6,000 employees and generated just under DKK 50 billion (EUR 6.6 billion) in revenue in 2009. For further information, see www.dongenergy.com.