First Power

Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm achieved first power in August 2005 when the first of 30 Vestas V90-3.0 MW turbines was energised and began exporting electricity to the National Grid. Located on a shallow plateau in the Outer Thames Estuary north of Herne Bay and Whitstable, approximately 8.5 km off the Kent coast, the 90 MW project was Vattenfall's first UK offshore wind farm and a UK Round 1 development. Offshore construction was completed in August 2005, with all 30 turbines on monopile foundations commissioned and tested by September 2005. The take-over certificate was signed on 8 December 2005, marking formal entry into commercial operation. At commissioning Kentish Flats was the UK's largest offshore wind farm and featured the largest commercial wind turbines in the country. The project deployed Vestas V90-3.0 MW turbines on monopile foundations and connected to the grid via a 16 km offshore export cable to an onshore substation at Herne Bay. Vattenfall's October 2025 anniversary release confirmed "It's been 20 years since the first turbines at Kentish Flats began turning." Operations are based at Ramsgate Harbour with around 70 technicians and support staff who also maintain the adjacent Kentish Flats Extension (49.5 MW, 2015) and Thanet (300 MW, 2010) wind farms — together making Vattenfall's Kent fleet one of the largest UK offshore wind clusters. Note: month-precision used because the source confirms August 2005 first turbine generation but no specific day.