Power has been exported to the GB grid for the first time from Dogger Bank offshore wind farm, which will become the world’s largest. Over three phases, by 2026 the project will eventually have a capacity of 3.6 GW – around 5% of GB’s electricity needs. The wind farm is a joint venture partnership between SSE Renewables (40%), Equinor (40%) and Vårgrønn (20%).
The first two phases of the wind farm, which is located 130km offshore, are being connected to Creyke Beck 400kV substation in Yorkshire, which has been upgraded by National Grid. The third phase will be connected to NGET’s Lackenby substation.
John Twomey, director of customer connections for National Grid, said, “Congratulations to everyone involved – Dogger Bank’s first power is a momentous engineering achievement, and marks another milestone in Britain’s clean energy transition.
Hitachi Energy provided its HVDC Light system to connect Dogger Bank and said the 1.2MW offshore platform was successfully executed in record time of 38 months despite disruptions caused by Covid-19. Olly Cass, Project Director for Dogger Bank Wind Farm, said, “Successful deployment of this technology for the first time on a UK wind farm shows what can be achieved at scale, and at greater distances from our coastline. We thank Hitachi Energy for its role in our journey to first power. Together with our supply chain partners we’re creating a greener and more secure energy system for UK homes and businesses and for future generations.”