In a significant milestone for the offshore wind industry and the transition to cleaner energy, the world's largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, has commenced generating electricity for British homes and businesses.

The Dogger Bank Wind Farm, with a colossal capacity of 3.6GW, is located in UK waters approximately 70 nautical miles (130km) off the Yorkshire coast and consists of three phases known as Dogger Bank A, B, and C, each with 1.2GW capacity. The first turbine in Dogger Bank A began producing electricity on October 7, 2023, marking the inaugural use of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission technology in a UK wind farm.

This pioneering project incorporates GE Vernova's groundbreaking Haliade-X 13MW turbines, the world's largest and most powerful, for the first time in offshore installations. One rotation of the massive 107-meter-long turbine blades generates enough clean energy to power an average UK home for two days.

Upon completion, Dogger Bank will boast a world-record-breaking capacity of 3.6GW, featuring 277 enormous offshore turbines capable of supplying clean energy to approximately six million homes annually, resulting in CO2 savings equivalent to removing 1.5 million cars from the roads.

The Prime Minister of the UK, Rishi Sunak, praised this achievement, stating that Dogger Bank will enhance energy security, generate employment, reduce electricity costs, and contribute to the country's Net Zero goals.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, Chief Executive of SSE, emphasized the project's significance for UK energy security, affordability, and climate change efforts. The innovative technologies developed for Dogger Bank are expected to accelerate the transition to clean energy and boost the growth of the global offshore wind industry.

Anders Opedal, CEO of Equinor, hailed Dogger Bank as an industrial wind hub in the heart of the North Sea, supporting the UK's offshore wind ambitions and its Net Zero objectives.

Olav Hetland, CEO of Vårgrønn, highlighted the broader benefits of offshore wind projects, including the creation of local jobs and industry development.

Dogger Bank's turbines, standing at 260 meters tall, are nearly twice the height of the London Eye and as tall as New York's Rockefeller Centre. The project's precision offshore installation was facilitated by the Voltaire, the world's largest offshore jack-up installation vessel, which set new standards for emissions reduction.

In addition, Dogger Bank introduced HVDC transmission technology and an unmanned offshore HVDC substation platform, along with Hitachi Energy's HVDC Light® transmission system.

The project has also played a crucial role in job creation, with more than 2,000 UK jobs established or supported during construction and operation, particularly in Northern England.

The achievement of first power from Dogger Bank underscores the UK's leadership in offshore wind and its commitment to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.