DONG Energy has received full consent to test two next generation offshore wind turbines at their Gunfleet Sands site in South East England. It is the first time that the Siemens 6 MW turbine will be tested offshore and DONG Energy’s first demonstration project in the UK.
The two Siemens 6 MW machines will be installed at DONG Energy’s Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project. The project forms an important part of DONG Energy’s drive to further industrialise the offshore wind industry and so bring down the cost of energy.
Morten Buchgreitz, deputy CEO of DONG Energy Wind Power said:
“The Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project marks an important step in industry’s efforts to reduce the cost of energy. The Round 3 projects in the UK are in deeper waters and will have a much bigger capacity than existing wind farms so the technology will increase in capacity as well. This demonstration project aligns with DONG Energy’s ambitions to steer development in the wind industry towards industrialisation to make offshore wind power even more competitive.”
“We are pleased to be the first company testing this new Siemens machine. DONG Energy is focused on making offshore wind more competitive and proving that these bigger turbines work will help us achieve that goal.”
“The Gunfleet Sands demonstration project has come in place due to a very constructive cooperation with the authorities in the UK. We are very pleased to receive the consent that gives us the opportunity to state our commitment to the growing wind industry in the UK.”
The new turbines will be installed by November this year with construction starting in May, and will be connected through a dedicated export cable. DONG Energy will be looking to verify turbine performance, reliability and functionality. The Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project is located 8.5 km south east of Clacton on Sea.
A prototype of the 6 MW turbine is also being tested at an onshore test centre at Hovsore, Denmark.
The information provided in this announcement will not change DONG Energy’s previous financial guidance for the financial year 2012 or the expected investment level.
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Offshore WIND staff, April 17, 2012; Image: siemens