First Power

DONG Energy (now Ørsted) announced on 18 May 2017 that Race Bank Offshore Wind Farm had achieved first power, with electricity from the first turbine being exported to the National Grid. Located approximately 27 km off the North Norfolk and Lincolnshire coasts, the 573 MW project comprises 91 Siemens 6 MW turbines and is owned by Ørsted (50%), Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund 5 (25%), Macquarie Capital (12.5%) and Sumitomo Corporation (12.5%). At first power the initial turbines had been installed and were generating; the milestone confirmed all transmission and generation systems were functioning correctly. Approximately two thirds of the blades (around 180) were manufactured at the Siemens Gamesa blade factory in Hull — the first ever wind turbine blades from that facility. Construction was managed from DONG Energy's base at Grimsby Fish Docks, earmarked to become the UK's largest offshore wind operations and maintenance hub. Klaus Skoust Møller, Race Bank Programme Director, said: "I'm delighted we've reached first power at Race Bank, which is an important milestone that proves every part of the transmission and generation equipment at the wind farm is successfully working. Construction is progressing well and on schedule." Following first power, turbine installation continued through 2017 with Race Bank reaching full commercial operation in February 2018. The wind farm covers a total area of 75 km² and produces enough electricity to power over half a million UK homes annually.