Alternative Outlook

With over 100 turbines generating power for around 320,000 homes, the Walney project is regarded as the world’s biggest offshore wind farm. It will be officially launched on Thursday, by the British government.

The launch will reportedly mark the start of a £33 billion push to expand sea-based generation of electricity by more than 10-fold by the end of the decade.

The new energy secretary, Ed Davey, a Member of Parliament and a Liberal Democrat, will officially open the farm that is located approximately 15km from the coastline of Walney Island. The project by the Walney (UK) Offshore Windfarms Ltd. constructed the farm in two phases.

Each phase consists of 51 turbines with a total capacity of 367.2 MegaWatts. The development includes foundations, turbines, export- and array cables, offshore substations and onshore connection to grid.

“Britain has a lot to be proud of in our growing offshore wind sector. Our island’s tremendous natural resource, our research base and a proud history of engineering make this the No 1 destination for investment in offshore wind. And Walney is the newest, biggest and fastest-built jewel in that crown, providing clean power for hundreds of thousands of households. Opening Walney during my first week in office lets me underline my commitment to continuing the coalition’s work to make this sector a success story for the British economy, not least with the innovation it is driving and the employment it is creating,” the Guardian UK quoted Davey as saying.