London Array produces first power

London Array Offshore Wind Farm, a 630MW proejct of Dong Energy, E.ON and Masdar, has generated its first power.

Located 20km off the coasts of Kent and Essex in the Thames Estuary, the plant currently consists of 15 turbines.

Construction of the first phase of the wind farm commenced in March 2011. It will have 175 turbines over 90km².

The first phase is expected to complete by December 2012 to provide electricity to over 470,000 UK homes.

Following the second phase approval, the plant will generate 870MW; the entire wind farm will cover 245km².

Thanet South MP Laura Sandys said, "To have a world class wind farm maintained from Ramsgate is great for the local community and local business. We very much hope that the company will be able to realise its plans to develop Phase Two adding an additional 240MW."

Dong Energy UK wind country manager Benj Sykes noted, "Being able to efficiently develop large offshore wind farms and harvest the scale advantages in both construction and operation is an important element in our continuous efforts to bring down costs of energy of offshore wind."

Masdar CEO Sultan Al Jaber said that the offshore wind farm was a landmark achievement for the partners and the UK.