Vattenfall today completed the installation of the first of 15 MHI Vestas V112 3.3MW wind turbines at its extension to Kentish Flats offshore wind farm, 7km off Whitstable and Herne Bay off the Kent Coast.
Matthew Green, Vattenfall’s Project Director for the construction of the 49.5MW scheme said: “One up, 14 to go. Vattenfall is making good progress on Kentish Flats Extension in this period of calm weather. Anyone watching from the shore will be able to watch a very challenging job with 155 tonne steel towers, 70 metres tall – in two sections getting lifted in one go and bolted onto the foundation, the nacelle – which houses the generator – at 160 tonnes – goes on top, followed by the hub into which three 55 metre blades, 12 tonnes each, are fitted. Big cranes, big boats, skilled technicians precisely slotting-in very heavy weights, 351 tonnes in total – all done with safety top priority. Engineering doesn’t get more challenging than this.”
When Kentish Flats Extension is completed later this year, Vattenfall will cement its position as one of the leaders in global offshore wind. Kentish Flats Extension is expected to generate 173,000 megawatt hours a year.