Yahoo Finance World's largest wind turbine installed off Aberdeen coast
The world’s largest wind turbine has been installed in the sea off Aberdeen – and just one rotation of its giant blades will produce enough electricity to light a home for a day.
The 191m-tall (626ft) turbine has 8m-long blades and a 164-metre (538ft) rotor that has a circumference larger than that of the London Eye.
It’s the first of 11 innovative turbines for Vattenfall’s European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre off the Scottish coast.
MORE: British Gas increases dual fuel bills by 5.5% hitting 4 million customers
Once all 11 are up and running, the company says the facility will produce the equivalent of more than 70% of Aberdeen’s domestic electricity demand and annually displace 134,128 tonnes of CO2.
Adam Ezzamel,project director at Vattenfall, said: “The first turbine installation is a significant achievement and credit to the diligence and engineering know-how of the project team and contractors.
“We are very excited by the cutting-edge technology deployed on all the turbines and it is remarkable that just one rotation of the blades can power the average UK home for a day.”
MORE: Mammoth wind farm planned for middle of the North Sea
Gunnar Groebler, Vattenfall’s head of business area wind, added: “The turbines for the EOWDC, Scotland’s largest offshore wind test and demonstration facility, help secure Vattenfall’s vision to be fossil fuel free within one generation.”
The turbines are being transported from Esbjerg in Denmark to Aberdeen by Swire Blue Ocean’s vessel, the Pacific Orca, where they will be lifted into position on the installed foundations. The Pacific Orca is believed to be the world’s largest wind farm installation vessel.
MORE: 5 million poorest households face 5.5% energy bills rise – after watchdog changes tariffs
Jean Morrison, chair of Aberdeen Renewable Energy Group (AREG), said: “It’s a real coup for the region to have the world’s most powerful turbines on its doorstep and cements Aberdeen’s position as a major global energy city. It also will lead us to a greener future.”
The UK generates more electricity from offshore wind than any other country in the world, according to the Crown Estate.
The sector is meeting around 5% of annual UK electricity requirements and this is expected to grow to 10% by 2020.
