Ørsted

Background:

In 2017, Ørsted opened Burbo Bank Extension off the coast of Liverpool Bay; the first offshore windfarm in the world to demonstrate 8MW turbines on a commercial scale. 

At a staggering 195m from mean sea height to blade tip, they stand taller than the Gherkin and with blades of 80m have a swept area larger than the London Eye. Using 32 of these turbines the project can generate enough electricity for over 230,000 homes. To put the scale and progress into context, just one of these wind turbines produces more electricity than the whole of Vindeby, the world’s first offshore wind farm (11 Turbines) constructed by Ørsted just 25 years ago in Denmark.  

Pushing innovation in this way reduces the cost of electricity from offshore wind and is helping to advance the offshore wind industry across the world.  

Bigger wind turbines have a larger rotor, which means a more efficient energy capture. One rotation, which takes about six seconds, can power a home for 29 hours. Using bigger turbines also reduces the cost as more electricity is generated per foundation installed, array cable, annual service etc – so these almost static costs are spread across more MWh of electricity. 

Being the first user carries additional risk and as the leading offshore wind player, the order was an important vote of confidence for the new turbine. Prior to installation, the team worked closely with MHI Vestas on the testing to provide insights and feedback on their requirements. Demonstrating this new model’s viability, now means that other wind farm developers will have confidence to use this technology.  

The national environmental benefit of the project is clear; it generates clean, green electricity for hundreds of thousands of homes each day. However, the indirect benefit of installing and demonstrating this technology is much larger. Following the first installation of the 3.6MW turbines at Burbo Bank in 2007 (also by Ørsted), they rapidly became the most widespread turbine technology used across the globe, helping to progress the whole of the offshore wind industry. The Burbo Bank Extension project is set to do the same. The project is a milestone in the journey of offshore wind, raising the bar even higher yet again. The sector needs projects like this to reduce costs and to drive innovation.  

The project also was the first to use blades manufactured in the UK at MHI Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight and was the first to use transition pieces to be built by Offshore Structures Britain in Teesside, who are now supplying to other Ørsted projects. Building up the UK supply chain is vital to maintaining the UK’s position continue growth industry here and helping to maintain the UK’s position as global leader.  

Winning would mean:

To the teams that constructed and maintain the windfarm, the award would bring a huge sense of pride. Our technicians travel offshore when required to keep the blades spinning, come rain or shine, and these unsung heroes are rarely recognised for their relentless work. On a company level, Ørsted has been investing and contributing to the Mersey area for over ten years, however until 2017 the company was known as DONG Energy. Winning this award would be an opportunity for the new brand to be recognised for its continued investment in the area.