A ceremony in Liverpool, on 17 May, saw the official opening of the Burbo Bank Extension, a new offshore wind-farm in Liverpool Bay that is capable of meeting the electricity needs of over 230,000 homes.
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%).
Just one of the wind turbines produces more energy than the whole of Vindeby, the world’s first offshore wind-farm built by DONG Energy in Denmark some 25 years ago.
DONG Energy chief executive Henrik Poulsen said: “Burbo Bank Extension showcases the rapid innovation in the offshore wind industry.
Less than 10 years ago at Burbo Bank, we were the first to install Siemens 3.6MW wind turbines; in the short time following, wind turbines have more than doubled in capacity, reducing the cost of electricity from offshore wind and helping 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 wind-farm to use UK manufactured blades, and the order for transition pieces was the first for the Teesside factory of Offshore Structures Britain.”
Steve Rotherham, Metro Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said: “The offshore wind industry has a huge contribution to make to the growing UK-based supply chain, and utilising our renewable energy sources is vital to ensuring the Liverpool City Region cements its position as a low-carbon leader.
“DONG Energy’s 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.”