London Array proves viability of renewable projects

Today marks the two-year anniversary of the inauguration and completion of London Array – the world's largest offshore wind farm. The sophisticated, 630-megawatt wind power project – and Masdar's largest international investment to date – continues to deliver clean and reliable energy to more than half-a-million homes throughout the United Kingdom.

Since its launch, London Array has produced more than 5-terawatt hours of affordable, renewable electricity, while mitigating more than 2 million tons of CO2 emissions.

"As the largest operating offshore wind farm, the London Array has helped lead the way for the global renewable energy sector," said Dr Ahmad Belhoul, CEO of Masdar, Abu Dhabi's renewable energy and clean-technology company. "London Array's performance over the past two years is a powerful example of renewable energy's emergence as a cost-effective means to deliver clean power to millions of citizens – no longer are renewables an expensive alternative power for the few."

Spread out across 100-square kilometres, equal to 10,000 football pitches, the construction of this expansive offshore windfarm pushed the limits of design and logistics, with 60 sea vessels and 1,000 people at the installation's site at that time. Those efforts resulted in 175 wind turbines that, today, power nearly one in 50 British homes.

"The London Array is a testament to the UAE's status as a responsible and innovative energy leader, and is one reason why Masdar has earned its reputation in the marketplace as one of the world's most forward-thinking energy companies," Dr Belhoul added.

A joint venture between E.ON (30%), DONG Energy (25%), La Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (25%) and Masdar (20%), the London Array is located in the outer Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom, 20 kilometres off the coast of Kent in southeast England.

The components of the offshore installation are also impressive as each wind turbine has a circumference that is equivalent to one and a half times the size of London's Wembley Stadium's football pitch. The turbines are designed to run for more than 20 years, 24-hours a day and seven days a week.

The development of London Array positioned Masdar as a leader in the offshore wind power sector and enabled the company to pursue further projects, such as the 402-megawatt Dudgeon offshore wind farm under construction in the North Sea.

In the Middle East, Masdar is also partnering on the development of onshore wind farms in Jordan and Oman. Globally, Masdar has 1.5 gigawatts of clean energy in operation or under development.

Masdar is Abu Dhabi's renewable energy company which works to advance the development, commercialisation and deployment of clean energy technologies and solutions. The company serves as a link between today's fossil fuel economy and the energy economy of the future. Wholly owned by the Mubadala Development Company PJSC, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, Masdar is dedicated to the Emirates' long-term vision for the future of energy.
Source: WAM