In Britain, the construction of wind farms continues
Recently, countries have increasingly switched to renewable energy to meet their needs. But not only solar energy or hydropower can provide the whole country with electricity, this is quite suitable and the wind, according to Britain. Thus, the British-installed Walney Extension station received the title of the world’s largest offshore wind power plant, covering an impressive 145 sq km with 87 turbines from MHI Vestas and Siemens Gamesa. The station is located in the Irish sea, near the island of Walney, Cumbria. With the help of the Waley Extension, the UK can produce 659 megawatts of energy, which is enough to provide 600,000 homes in the UK. Having achieved this value, the UK regained the title of a pioneer in marine wind energy. The contract for the Walney Extension was signed in 2014. For its implementation, 3 large companies have joined forces. The project is jointly owned by Orsted, PFA and PKA.
Upon completion of the construction of the Walney Extension, this power plant will be the 11th operating wind farm from Orsted in the UK. By the way, if we talk about the total conversion of wind energy in the UK, it is 36% of the total production worldwide. A significant feature of the wind farm is its turbines. Since its construction involves the latest models in its class. Thus, the station offers much higher efficiency than its competitors. 87 turbines in the Walney Extension were purchased from two different organizations: 40 MHI Vestas 8 MW 47 Gamesa and Siemens 7 MW.
When all turbines work together, the total output power is 659 MW. Thus, it can be concluded that a modern turbine can generate 50% more energy than the turbines of the previous generation. According to Matthew Wright, managing Director of Orsted UK, Britain is a world leader in offshore wind energy, and the Walney Extension demonstrates the history of the industry’s incredible success.
Construction of wind farms continues
However, experts have information that for a short time Walney Extension will bear the title of the largest wind power plant. A new project called East Anglia ONE will become the new industry leader in offshore wind energy.
It is being built on the Suffolk coast in the South of the North Sea in the UK. In the construction of East Anglia One it is proposed to use 102 Siemens turbines capable of producing 7 MW with a total capacity of 714 MW. The project will be completed in 2020 and after its completion, the Walney Extension station will transfer the prestigious title to its successor.
According to experts, the world can only hope that soon the market will have a new competitor for existing stations. After all, this competition means that the world is becoming more progressive in the collection of renewable energy, as well as less dependent on fossil fuels.
