GE Renewable Energy is to supply an uprated version of its Haliade-X offshore wind turbine for the massive Dogger Bank offshore windfarm in the UK
Dogger Bank Wind Farm and GE Renewable Energy signed a contract on 22 September 2020 for 13-MW Haliade-X turbines for the Dogger Bank A and Dogger Bank B phases of the project. When launched, the Haliade-X was described as a 12-MW unit.
The award, which is subject to Dogger Bank A and B reaching financial close, covers the supply of 190 Haliade-X 13-MW turbines, split evenly at 95 turbines for each of the first two phases of the project.
The Haliade-X 13MW is an enhanced version of the successful 12-MW prototype unit which has been generating power in Rotterdam since November 2019 and recently secured its provisional type certificate from DNV GL.
The prototype unit, which set a world record in January 2020 by being the first wind turbine to produce 288 MWh in one day, will start operating at 13 MW in the coming months as part of its ongoing testing and certification process.
As part of the agreement with SSE, GE Renewable Energy will establish its marshalling harbour activities at Able Seaton Port in Hartlepool which will serve as the base for turbine service equipment, installation and commissioning activities for Dogger Bank A and B.
This will see the delivery of components for the 13-MW wind turbines to the port, including the nacelle, three tower sections and three 107-m long blades, for pre-assembly onsite at Able Seaton prior to transport out to the North Sea for installation. This activity will lead to 120 skilled jobs at the port during construction. Turbine installation is expected to commence in 2023 at Dogger Bank A.
The announcement also includes a five-year service and warranty agreement supporting operational jobs in the maintenance of the windfarm.
Dogger Bank Wind Farm is a joint venture between SSE Renewables, who are leading the construction of the windfarm, and Equinor, who will operate the 3.6-GW project during its lifetime of at least 25 years.
The project is located over 130 km off England’s northeast coast. Due to its size and scale, the project is being built in three consecutive phases – Dogger Bank A, Dogger Bank B and Dogger Bank C. Each project is expected to generate around 6 TWh of electricity annually.
SSE Renewables Dogger Bank project director Steve Wilson said, “Signing the contract with GE is not only great news for Dogger Bank and GE, but for the wider offshore wind industry, marking the first time a 13-MW turbine will be installed.
“These turbines are testament of how hard the offshore wind industry is working to continually innovate and drive down costs and we look forward to working with GE Renewable Energy to help us deliver the largest offshore windfarm in the world.”
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