BIGGEST OFFSHORE WINDFARM IN THE WORLD

Offshore wind farms are becoming more and more ambitious. Is there any limit?

A new idea from NewEnergyNews at no extra charge: How about putting wave energy installations in the same locations? Double up on cables, environmental studies and maintenance...

World’s largest offshore farm is given government approval for Kent
Terry Macalister, October 5, 2007 (The Guardian)

WHO
A Royal Dutch Shell/E.ON-led consortium, the UK government

Location of the London Array in the Thames Estuary. (click to enlarge)

WHAT
The London Array project, the world’s biggest offshore wind farm, has been given final approval by the UK government.

WHEN
The Array has been delayed 189 months so far but is expected to be operational by 2010.

WHERE
The Array will fill 90 square miles off the coast of Kent in southeast England. It will provide power for London and the southeast suburban/coastal region.

WHY
- Cost: Original estimate was 1.5 billion pounds but is now expected to cost 2 billion pounds ($4.06 billion). Cost escalation due to turbine materials shortages.
- Developers: A Royal Dutch Shell/E.ON-led consortium
- 341+ turbines
- Approval for cables from the UK National Grid still pending
- Biggest hurdles so far were approval of offshore site (after providing protection to red-throated divers) and installation of onshore substation.
- E.ON is developing wind, tidal and biomass projects in the UK.

British offshore installations. Britannia is once again capitalizing on her status as an Island-Nation. (click to enlarge)

QUOTES
E.ON spokesman: "We are now in the middle of the tendering process and we will be in a position to give the green light - or not - in the second half of next year."