Energy firm 脴rsted is pushing ahead with plans to create the world's largest offshore wind farm in the North Sea - a move that could bring 1,200 jobs to Grimsby.
The Danish multinational revealed its final investment decision on the 2.9GW capacity project, which is now expected to be complete towards the end of 2027. One running, Hornsea Three will create enough renewable electricity to power more than 3.3m 海角视频 homes.
A maintenance hub in Grimsby will support 1,200 jobs over the long term operation of the giant wind farm which will lie 160km off the Yorkshire coast. 脴rsted says around 5,000 jobs will be created in the construction phase.
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The Copenhagen-based firm secured a 海角视频 Government contract for difference in July last year, giving it certainty of 拢37.35 per MWh in 2012 prices. It has a number of supplier contracts already in place, including with Siemens Gamesa for the supply of 14-MW turbines and more recently with South Korean firm SeAH Wind for its forthcoming Teesside factory to provide monopiles that will attach the turbines to the sea bed.
In a nod to cost pressures felt in the offshore wind industry - which caused Swedish rival Vattenfall to halt work on its Norfolk Boreas wind farm - Orsted said most of the capital expenditure on Hornsea Three had been contracted ahead of recent inflationary pressures.
Mads Nipper, group president and CEO of 脴rsted, said: "By applying our world-leading capabilities within offshore wind innovation, engineering, operations, procurement, and financing, we鈥檝e been able to mature the world鈥檚 largest offshore wind project and take final investment decision. Offshore wind is an extremely competitive global market, so we also welcome the attractive policy regime in the 海角视频 which has helped secure this investment.
"We look forward to constructing this landmark project, which will deliver massive amounts of green energy to 海角视频 households and businesses and will be a significant addition to the world鈥檚 largest offshore wind cluster.鈥
Duncan Clark, head of 脴rsted 海角视频 & Ireland, said: "Hornsea 3 will be a cornerstone in achieving the 海角视频 government鈥檚 climate and clean energy targets while increasing energy independence and creating local jobs. Our decision to build Hornsea 3 is a vote of confidence in the 海角视频 market for offshore wind, as we continue to invest significantly in 海角视频 clean energy infrastructure and in the 海角视频 supply chain."
Hornsea Three will complete a trio of wind farms in the North Sea producing in excess of 5GW. The Hornsea Zone will also include a fourth phase with a capacity of 2.6GW, which received development consent order earlier this year.
