Offshore works for what will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm are set to ramp up in the coming weeks.
Ørsted’s Hornsea Two will surpass its predecessor Hornsea One by generating 1.4GW of clean energy once complete in 2022.
Monopile works are due to commence at the wind farm location 89km from landfall this month with DEME Group’s offshore installation vessel, Innovation.
Besides the Innovation, Pacific Orca will also begin works on location next year to support construction. Both are heavy-lift jack up vessels which have legs that can securely fix the ship to the seabed, raise the vessel from the water whilst onboard cranes lift and manoeuvre the heavy foundation components.
In total, 165 monopiles and transition pieces will be installed at sea in preparation for the site’s 8.4MW turbines. With a height from sea level to blade tip of 204m, the turbines will also feature new 82m long blades which are currently being fabricated at the Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy blade factory in Hull.
Patrick Harnett, Hornsea Two Programme Director for Ørsted said:
“Even during these challenging times, we’re still able to take these important next steps towards the construction of this game changing wind farm. We’re extremely pleased to once again work alongside suppliers who share our vision for a greener world and look forward to the upcoming milestones that will continue to pave the way in terms of innovation for offshore wind.”
A selection of 30 transition pieces are being manufactured at EEW OSB’s factory in Teesside, with the first load out having recently been completed, whilst Danish based Bladt are suppling the additional 135 components.
Bart De Poorter, General Manager DEME Offshore, comments:
“After months of detailed planning and by working in close collaboration with Ørsted and our suppliers, we are delighted to kick-off the offshore installation works at Hornsea Two. We have approached this complex project as true partners, which has been crucial considering the unprecedented circumstances we are dealing with. Not only are we confronted with the challenges brought to us by the Coronavirus but we had to overcome the setback when the new offshore installation vessel ‘Orion’ had a crane accident before she was delivered to DEME. We very much look forward to continuing our close partnership with this Client so we can achieve the safe delivery of this exceptional wind farm.”
ABOUT Ørsted
The Ørsted vision is a world that runs entirely on green energy. Ørsted develops, constructs and operates offshore and onshore wind farms, solar farms, energy storage facilities, and bioenergy plants, and provides energy products to its customers. Globally, Ørsted is the market leader in offshore wind and it is constructing the world’s biggest offshore wind farm off the East Coast of the UK. Its UK offshore wind farms generate enough clean electricity for over four million UK homes. Ørsted ranks #1 in Corporate Knights’ 2020 index of the Global 100 most sustainable corporations in the world and is recognised on the CDP Climate Change A List as a global leader on climate action. Headquartered in Denmark, Ørsted employs 6,700 people, including over 1000 in the UK. Ørsted’s shares are listed on Nasdaq Copenhagen (Orsted). In 2019, the group’s revenue was DKK 67.8 billion (EUR 9.1 billion). Visit orsted.co.uk or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter.
