When the Danes switched on their ovens to prepare their meals during the Christmas holidays, it was partly powered by the first electricity from Denmark's next new offshore wind farm - Horns Rev 3.
On December 23, the first wind turbine on Denmark’s largest offshore wind farm Horns Rev 3 started to supply electricity from the North Sea to the Danish electricity grid.
"This is one of the best Christmas presents one can get. We are very happy and proud that the wind farm has now started to supply electricity to the Danes. It is an important step towards a fossil-free future for both Denmark and Vattenfall," says Michael Simmelsgaard, Vattenfall's Head of Offshore Wind and Danish country manager.
When Horns Rev 3 is in full operation in first half of 2019, its 49 giant turbines will increase the annual Danish electricity generation from wind by about 12 per cent or the same amount of electricity as 425,000 Danish households use on an annual basis.
"The construction of the wind farm is a huge operation that involves many vessels and people. So, we have a great deal of focus on ensuring safety. With the first turbine in operation, we now look forward to getting the remaining turbines installed and connected to the grid. It’s a great team effort," says Martin Zappe, Project Director at Horns Rev 3.
The turbines are produced by MHI Vestas and shipped from Esbjerg.
As Denmark’s largest developer of offshore wind, Vattenfall is constructing the wind farms Vesterhav Syd & Nord in the North Sea off the Danish West Coast and Kriegers Flak in the Baltic Sea.
About Horns Rev 3 wind farm
- With a capacity of 406 MW and an expected annual output of 1,700 GWh, Horns Rev 3 will be able to cover the annual electricity consumption of approx. 425,000 Danish households.
- The total height of the 8,4 MW turbines is 187 metres and they each weigh close to 1.500 tonnes including foundation.
- The turbines rest on foundations of steel that together required more than 40,000 tonnes of steel.
- The Horns Rev 3 wind farm is located in the North Sea 25-40 kilometres off the Danish west coast.
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