UK trade body RenewableUK has announced that the 630MW London Array offshore wind farm has become completely operational.
The London Array, located in the Thames Estuary, has 175 wind turbines and generates enough electricity to power around half a million homes, and reduces 900,000 tons of CO2 emissions annually.
Commenting on the wind farm at the official opening, UK Prime Minister David Cameron said that the London Array offshore wind farm is a win for renewable energy, and it demonstrates that large scale renewable energy projects can be built in Britain.
RenewableUK chief executive Maria McCaffery said, "The Prime Minister’s ringing endorsement of Britain’s offshore wind industry is a real boost for the entire renewable energy sector, which is a key growth area for the British economy.
"We’re about to witness a massive expansion in the number of people we employ in the wind industry onshore and offshore, from about 12,000 now to 76,000 by the dawn of the next decade, as long as Government remains supportive – today Mr Cameron has assured us that it will."
Meanwhile, London Array has been jointly developed by Dong Energy, E.ON and Masdar.
Siemens has supplied wind turbines and the grid connection for London Array. Together with Dong Energy, Siemens will also be responsible for the service of the wind turbines, under a long-term agreement.
Currently, UK has 20 operational offshore wind farms with a total installed capacity of approximately 3.3GW.