Turbines on the move at Harwich International Port
20/05/2010
The first wind turbines for the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm have been loaded out from Harwich International Port for installation.
Components for 42 of the Siemens 3.6 MW turbines are currently in storage at the Essex port, with further numbers due from their construction site in Denmark throughout 2010. When completed, the Greater Gabbard Offshore Wind Farm will consist of 140 turbines, and be the largest in the world. Able to provide a total of 504 MW power, the site will be enough to supply 530,000 homes with energy.
David Gledhill, Chief Executive Officer of Hutchison Ports (UK) Ltd, which owns Harwich International Port, commented:
“We are pleased to be involved in the delivery of the Greater Gabbard project. Having provided services for components of the Gunfleet Sands, and Thanet Wind Farms earlier in the year, Harwich International is gaining a reputation for its facilities and expertise working with the renewables industry. Our ideal East coast location, with unrestricted access, has made us a natural choice for these projects, and we will continue to work with the industry in the future on projects across the area.”
Each complete turbine will weigh in excess of 400 tonnes, excluding its foundation, and the diameter of the turbine’s blades is over 100 meters. The project is being developed by Scottish and Southern Renewables and RWE npower renewables, with installation loadings continuing throughout 2010.
