December 2021 – Deals, Awards & Power

Offshore wind and renewable energy occupied the December 2021 headlines for the region with big deals agreed, awards received, and power generated.

The World’s Biggest Offshore Wind Farm

Electricity has been generated for the first time at Ørsted’s Hornsea Two offshore wind farm, the world’s biggest offshore wind farm.

First power on Hornsea Two was achieved after its offshore substation (OSS), the world’s largest offshore AC substation, and reactive compensation station (RCS), were installed in late October 2021. Since that time, Ørsted and its partner companies have been working hard to commission and energise the wind farm in preparation for its anticipated operational date next year.

When fully operational, Hornsea Two’s 165 8MW Siemens Gamesa wind turbines will be capable of generating 1.32GW of clean electricity – taking the title of “world’s largest operating offshore wind farm” from its sister project Hornsea One. Together, the two projects will be capable of providing enough power for well over 2.3 million homes. 

Brace of awards for Orsted’s ‘visionary’ £1.4m immersive training centre

A double dose of good news for Orsted in December as their immersive safety facility picked up industry awards in both the energy and performance spheres.

Thrive Safety Leadership Centre, developed to aid delivery of the next world-leading wind farm, Hornsea Two, is a £1.4 million investment in Immingham. Joining forces with Active Training Team to deliver a creative approach, bridging the gap between theoretical safety training and the reality of the offshore working environment.

Combining interactive experiences, film, live action exercises and discussion, a hypothetical scenario examines the build-up to a fatal incident on a load-out operation and its consequences.

And it has won both the Energy Institute’s 2021 Award for Health and Safety and the Gold Award for Best Training Event at the EVCOM London Live and Film Awards.

Biggest ever renewable energy support scheme opens

The biggest ever round of the UK government’s flagship renewable energy support scheme is now open to applications, with £285 million available a year for building the next generation of Great Britain’s green energy projects.

Renewable energy projects across Great Britain can now bid for funding in the fourth round of the Contracts for Difference (CfD) scheme, which is aiming to secure 12GW of electricity capacity – more renewable capacity than the previous 3 rounds combined. The additional offshore wind capacity resulting from the funding alone could generate enough electricity to power around 8 million homes.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said:

“Our biggest ever renewables auction opening today will solidify the UK’s role as a world-leader in renewable electricity, while backing new, future-proof industries across the country to create new jobs.”

“By generating more renewable energy in the UK, we can ensure greater energy independence by moving away from volatile global fossil fuel prices, all while driving down the cost of new energy.”

A total budget of £285 million a year has been allocated to the fourth round, with £200 million available for offshore wind, £75 million for emerging technologies, such as remote island wind, tidal stream and floating offshore wind, and £10 million for established technologies, such as solar and onshore wind.

LEP Launches £2M Clean Growth Accelerator Fund

The Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership is to reallocate £2m of its existing funding towards a new Clean Growth Accelerator Fund to help tackle the impact of climate change.

Building on the Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution and the recently released UK Innovation Strategy, the LEP is inviting organisations and businesses to submit projects that will help to develop innovation and R&D ideas focused on decarbonisation and clean growth.

“We are delighted to announce our new Clean Growth Accelerator Fund for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland,” said Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire LEP.

“Not only will this fund help us to achieve our Net Zero ambitions, but it will also ensure that innovation remains at the heart of our economic growth.”

Huge Power Deal Done for Sofia Wind Farm

German energy giant RWE has signed its largest ever power purchase agreement for a UK wind farm set to be anchored in Grimsby.

EDF, the French multinational electric utility company, has agreed a 15-year deal with the developer to take the generated green electricity from the 1.4GW Sofia farm.

It is set to be one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world when built off the North East coast – with 2026 the date anticipated for it to be fully commissioned.