London Array

{{Short description|Wind farm located on the Thames Estuary, UK}}

{{Infobox power station

| location = {{cvt|7|mi}} off North Foreland, Kent

| cost = £1.8 billion

| wind_offshore_distance = {{convert|20|km||||}}

| wind_hub_height = {{convert|87|m||||}}

| wind_rotor_diameter = {{convert|120|m||||}}

| ps_electrical_cap_fac = 45.3% (2015){{cite web|url=http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1378756/london-array-breaks-offshore-production-record|title=London Array breaks offshore production record|access-date=11 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160111134654/http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1378756/london-array-breaks-offshore-production-record|archive-date=11 January 2016|url-status=live}}

}}

{{maplink

|frame=yes

|frame-height=360

|frame-lat=51.6381

|frame-long=1.4968

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|text=Wind farm layout

|from=Wind turbines London Array.map

}}

The London Array is a 175-turbine 630 MW Round 2 offshore wind farm located {{convert|20|km||||}} off the Kent coast in the outer Thames Estuary in the United Kingdom. It was the largest offshore wind farm in the world until Walney Extension reached full production in September 2018.

Construction of phase 1 of the wind farm began in March 2011 and was completed by mid 2013, being formally inaugurated by the Prime Minister, David Cameron on 4 July 2013.

The second phase of the project was refused planning consent in 2014 due to concerns over the impact on sea birds.

Description

The wind farm site is more than {{convert|20|km|mi}} off the North Foreland on the Kent coast. It is in the area between Long Sand and Kentish Knock, between Margate in Kent and Clacton in Essex.{{Cite web|title=Preliminary Information Memorandum: London Array (Phase 1) Offshore Transmission Assets|publisher=Ofgem|url=http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Networks/offtrans/rttt/Documents1/London%20Array%20PIM.pdf|page=3|date=November 2010|access-date=19 April 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120715052259/http://www.ofgem.gov.uk/Networks/offtrans/rttt/Documents1/London%20Array%20PIM.pdf|archive-date=15 July 2012|url-status=live}} The site has water depths of no more than 25 m{{cite web |url= http://www.4coffshore.com/windfarms/london-array-phase-1-united-kingdom-uk14.html |title= London Array Offshore Wind Farm |website= 4coffshore.com |access-date= 2017-03-04 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120627224647/http://www.4coffshore.com/windfarms/london-array-phase-1-united-kingdom-uk14.html |archive-date= 27 June 2012 |url-status= live }} and is mostly away from deep water shipping lanes.Harris, Stephen. [http://www.theengineer.co.uk/energy/in-depth/your-questions-answered-the-london-array/1017519.article Your questions answered: The London Array] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919045732/http://www.theengineer.co.uk/energy/in-depth/your-questions-answered-the-london-array/1017519.article |date=19 September 2015 }} The Engineer (UK magazine), 19 November 2013. It is north of the shallow cross estuary channel, the Fisherman's Gat and astride of the Foulger's Gat.

The first phase consisted of 175 Siemens Wind Power SWT-3.6 turbines and two offshore substations, giving a wind farm with a peak rated power of 630 MW.{{harvnb|Nathan|2012}} Each turbine and offshore substation is erected on a monopile foundation, and connected together by {{cvt|210|km}} of 33 kV array cables. The two offshore substations are connected to an onshore substation at Cleve Hill (near Graveney) on the north Kent coast, by four 150 kV subsea export cables, in total {{cvt|220|km}}. It is named after London because the power goes to the London grid.Fehrenbacher, Katie. [https://gigaom.com/2013/07/08/the-massive-london-array-offshore-wind-farm-is-finally-done-and-its-awesome/ The massive London Array offshore ppwind farm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151222061100/https://gigaom.com/2013/07/08/the-massive-london-array-offshore-wind-farm-is-finally-done-and-its-awesome/ |date=22 December 2015 }} is finally done and it’s awesome] Gigaom, 8 July 2013.

The smaller Thanet Wind Farm is to the south.

The array is intended to reduce annual {{CO2}} emissions by about 900,000 tons, equal to the emissions of 300,000 passenger cars.{{citation | url = http://www.marinelink.com/news/inaugurated-offshore356334.aspx | title = London Array Offshore Windfarm Inaugurated | work = www.marinelink.com | date = 5 July 2013 | access-date = 7 July 2013 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130710015941/http://www.marinelink.com/news/inaugurated-offshore356334.aspx | archive-date = 10 July 2013 | url-status = live }}

History

In 2001 environmental studies identified areas of the outer Thames Estuary as potential sites for offshore wind farms;The London Array (London Array), p.6 the Department of Trade and Industry published the paper Future Offshore — A Strategic Framework for the Offshore Wind Industry, which identified the outer Thames Estuary as one of three potential areas for future wind farm development (Round 2 wind farms).{{citation|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140216205926/http://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/20100609095923/http%3A//www.berr.gov.uk/files/file22791.pdf |archive-date=16 February 2014 |title=Future Offshore -A Strategic Framework for the Offshore Wind Industry |url=http://www.berr.gov.uk/files/file22791.pdf |publisher=Department of Trade and Industry |date=Nov 2002 |at=p.9; table 2.2, p.26; 4.3.3, pp.41-43; table 4.1, p41; fig.4.1, p.42 |url-status=dead }} The Crown Estate awarded a 50-year lease to London Array Ltd (a consortium of E.ON UK Renewables, Shell WindEnergy, and CORE Limited{{#tag:ref|After 26 June 2007, Core Limited became known as DONG Energy London Array Limited.{{citation| url = https://opencorporates.com/companies/gb/03848988| title = DONG Energy London Array Limited| website = opencorporates.com| access-date = 17 August 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20151222113113/https://opencorporates.com/companies/gb/03848988| archive-date = 22 December 2015| url-status = live}} Core Ltd. was a joint venture between DONG Energy A/S (Denmark) and Farm Energy Ltd (UK); see notes in E.ON 7 November 2007 press release.|group="note"}}) in December 2003.{{citation| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4617275.stm| title = Plan for massive Thames wind farm| work = BBC News| date = 7 June 2005| access-date = 11 May 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20051030040902/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4617275.stm| archive-date = 30 October 2005| url-status = live}} A planning application was submitted in 2005,ES Non-technical summary (June 2005) which was approved in December 2006.{{citation| url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6188133.stm| title = Offshore wind farms get go-ahead| date = 18 December 2006| work = BBC News| access-date = 11 May 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090426092902/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/kent/6188133.stm| archive-date = 26 April 2009| url-status = live}} Planning permission for the onshore electricity substation was granted in November 2007.{{citation| date = 7 November 2007| title = London Array welcomes latest government permissions| type = press release| url = http://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2007/11/07/1145.aspx| access-date = 11 May 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140512221123/http://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2007/11/07/1145.aspx| archive-date = 12 May 2014| url-status = live}}

In May 2008, Shell announced that it was pulling out of the project.{{citation| url = http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2a5b99c-16ea-11dd-bbfc-0000779fd2ac.html| title = Shell pulls out of key wind power project| publisher = Financial Times| date = 1 May 2008| access-date = 1 May 2008| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080501191942/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/e2a5b99c-16ea-11dd-bbfc-0000779fd2ac.html| archive-date = 1 May 2008| url-status = live}} It was announced in July 2008 that E.ON UK and DONG Energy would buy Shell's stake.{{cite press release

|url=http://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2008/07/21/1261.aspx

|title=E.ON and DONG Energy become 50:50 partners in world's largest offshore wind farm

|publisher=E.ON

|date=21 July 2008

|access-date=11 May 2014

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140710184600/http://pressreleases.eon-uk.com/blogs/eonukpressreleases/archive/2008/07/21/1261.aspx

|archive-date=10 July 2014

|url-status=live

}} Subsequently, on 16 October 2008, London Array announced the Abu Dhabi based Masdar would join E.ON as a joint venture party in the scheme. Under the agreement, Masdar purchased 40% of E.ON's half share of the scheme, giving Masdar a 20% stake in the project overall.{{cite web| url = https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/oct/17/windpower-renewableenergy| title = Abu Dhabi buys 20% of London Array| date = 17 October 2008| first = Mark| last = Milner| work = The Guardian| quote = initially, it was to have been developed by E.ON, Dong Energy and Shell, but Shell pulled out this year, arguing that the scheme did not meet its financial rates of return. The remaining partners subsequently raised their 33% stakes to 50%.| access-date = 12 December 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304110921/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2008/oct/17/windpower-renewableenergy| archive-date = 4 March 2016| url-status = live}}{{cite press release|url=http://www.eon.com/en/media/news/press-releases/2008/10/16/masdar-to-invest-in-london-array-offshore-wind-farm-as-first-step-of-a-global-renewable-energy-partnership-with-e-dot-on.html |title=Masdar to invest in London Array offshore wind farm as first step of a global renewable energy partnership with E.ON|publisher=E.ON|date=16 October 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141129043403/http://www.eon.com/en/media/news/press-releases/2008/10/16/masdar-to-invest-in-london-array-offshore-wind-farm-as-first-step-of-a-global-renewable-energy-partnership-with-e-dot-on.html |archive-date=29 November 2014|df=dmy-all}} The resultant ownership was 50% DONG Energy, 30% E.ON UK Renewables and 20% Masdar.{{citation| first = Jensen| last = Mette Buck| url = http://ing.dk/artikel/109499-dong-laaner-22-milliarder-kroner-til-britisk-vindmoelleeventyr| title = Dong låner 2,2 milliarder kroner til britisk vindmølleeventyr| language = da| publisher = Ingeniøren (ing.dk)| date = 9 June 2010| access-date = 9 June 2010| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111191724/http://ing.dk/artikel/109499-dong-laaner-22-milliarder-kroner-til-britisk-vindmoelleeventyr| archive-date = 11 January 2012| url-status = dead}}

In March 2009, the backers agreed on an initial investment of €2.2 billion.{{citation| first = David| last = Teather| url = https://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/may/12/wind-farm-electricity-london-array| title = Thames offshore wind farm gets green light from investors| work = The Guardian| date = 13 May 2009| access-date = 12 December 2016| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20131231000909/http://www.theguardian.com/business/2009/may/12/wind-farm-electricity-london-array| archive-date = 31 December 2013| url-status = live}} Financing of phase 1 was achieved through the European Investment Bank and the Danish Export Credit Fund with £250 million.

In 2013, in response to Ofgem "Offshore Transmission Owner" regulations, the consortium divested the electrical transmission assets of the wind farm (valued at £459 million) to Blue Transmission London Array Limited – an entity incorporated by Barclays Infrastructure Funds Management Limited (Barclays) and Diamond UK Transmission Corporation (a Mitsubishi Corporation subsidiary).{{citation| url = http://www.dongenergy.co.uk/en/News/company_announcements/Pages/SER_details_page.aspx?omxid=707214| title = Disposal of transmission assets at London Array, the world's largest offshore wind farm| publisher = Dong Energy| type = press release| date = 10 September 2013| access-date = 11 May 2014| archive-url = https://archive.today/20140511182002/http://www.dongenergy.co.uk/en/News/company_announcements/Pages/SER_details_page.aspx?omxid=707214| archive-date = 11 May 2014| url-status = live}}

File:Thames Estuary and Wind Farms from Space NASA with annotations.jpg with London Array top right, and neighbouring wind farm areas.]]

File:London Array 02.jpg

In January 2014, DONG sold half its stake to Quebec public pension plan manager {{lang|fr|Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec}} ("{{lang|fr|La Caisse}}"),{{citation| url = http://www.utilityweek.co.uk/news/dong-sells-half-of-its-london-array-stake/972632#.U2-586Jyrmg| title = Dong sells half of its London Array stake| date = 31 January 2014| work = www.utilityweek.co.uk| access-date = 11 May 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303223622/http://utilityweek.co.uk/news/dong-sells-half-of-its-london-array-stake/972632#.U2-586Jyrmg| archive-date = 3 March 2016| url-status = live}} and in 2023 sold its remaining 25% share to Schroders Greencoat for £717 million (£4.56 m/MW).{{cite web |last1=Memija |first1=Adnan |title=Ørsted Divests Remaining Stake in London Array for EUR 829 Million |url=https://www.offshorewind.biz/2023/07/24/orsted-divests-remaining-stake-in-london-array-for-eur-829-million/ |website=Offshore Wind |date=24 July 2023}} Following RWE's takeover of E.ON's power generation in an asset swap in 2019, RWE now owns the 30% stake previously belonging to E.ON.

At the time of its construction, it was the largest offshore wind farm in the world.{{citation| url = https://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9427156/The-London-Array-the-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm.html| title = The London Array: the world's largest offshore wind farm| work = The Daily Telegraph| first = Edward| last = Platt| date = 28 July 2012| access-date = 3 April 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140929233746/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/9427156/The-London-Array-the-worlds-largest-offshore-wind-farm.html| archive-date = 29 September 2014| url-status = dead}}

=Construction and commissioning=

Offshore work began in March 2011 with construction of the first foundation.{{citation| url = http://www.londonarray.com/2011/03/08/first-foundation-installed-at-london-array/ |archive-date = 11 March 2012|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20120311042717/http://www.londonarray.com/wp-content/uploads/First-foundation-installed-at-London-Array.pdf |title = First foundation installed at London Array|date = 8 March 2011| type = press release}}

Turbines were supplied by Siemens Wind Power.{{cite press release

| title = Siemens to provide 175 wind turbines for the world's largest offshore wind farm London Array

| publisher = Siemens AG

| date = 19 May 2009

| url = http://www.siemens.com/press/en/pressrelease/?press=/en/pressrelease/2009/renewable_energy/ere200905050.htm

| access-date = 30 July 2019

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160303190843/http://www.siemens.com/press/en/pressrelease/?press=%2Fen%2Fpressrelease%2F2009%2Frenewable_energy%2Fere200905050.htm

| archive-date = 3 March 2016

| url-status = live

}} Their foundations were built by a joint-venture between Per Aarsleff and Bilfinger Berger Ingenieurbau GmbH. The same company supplied and installed the monopiles.{{cite news

| title = Trio hand out London Array prizes

| newspaper = Upstream Online

| publisher = NHST Media Group

| url = http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article201620.ece

| date = 14 December 2009

| first = Anthea

| last = Pitt

| access-date = 1 January 2010

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120111142220/http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article201620.ece

| archive-date = 11 January 2012

| url-status = live

}}{{Subscription required}} Generators were installed by MPI and A2SEA, using an installation vessel {{ship|TIV|MPI Adventure}} and a jack-up barge Sea Worker.{{cite press release

| title = London Array signs final major installation contracts for phase one

| publisher = London Array

| date = 4 February 2010

| url = http://www.londonarray.com/london-array-signs-final-phase-one/

}}{{Dead link|date=July 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Two offshore substations were designed, fabricated and installed by Future Energy, a joint venture between Fabricom, Iemants and Geosea, while electrical systems and onshore substation work was undertaken by Siemens Transmission & Distribution. The subsea export cable was supplied by Nexans and array cables by JDR Cable Systems. The array cables and the export cables were installed by VSMC.

The wind farm started producing electricity at the end of October 2012.{{cite news

| work = Offshore.no • International

| publisher = Offshore Media Group

| title = First power from London Array

| url = http://www.offshore.no/international/article/First_power_from_London_Array

| first = John

| last = Bradbury

| date = 5 November 2012

| access-date = 5 November 2012

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130718201051/http://www.offshore.no/international/article/First_power_from_London_Array

| archive-date = 18 July 2013

| url-status = dead

}} All 175 turbines of phase 1 were confirmed fully operational on 8 April 2013,{{Cite press release| title=Hip Hip Array-World's largest offshore wind farm goes fully operational| publisher=RenewableUK| url=http://www.renewableuk.com/en/news/press-releases.cfm/hip-hip-array-world-s-largest-offshore-wind-farm-goes-fully-operational| date=8 April 2013| work=www.renewableuk.com| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712031607/http://www.renewableuk.com/en/news/press-releases.cfm/hip-hip-array-world-s-largest-offshore-wind-farm-goes-fully-operational| archive-date=12 July 2013| df=dmy-all}} and the wind farm was formally inaugurated by the Prime minister David Cameron on 4 July 2013.{{Cite press release|title=London Array, world's largest offshore wind farm, inaugurated|date=4 July 2013|publisher=gulfnews.com|url= http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/london-array-world-s-largest-offshore-wind-farm-inaugurated-1.1205443 |first=Shehab|last=Al Makahleh|access-date=4 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130707073821/http://gulfnews.com/business/economy/london-array-world-s-largest-offshore-wind-farm-inaugurated-1.1205443 |archive-date=7 July 2013|url-status=live}} In December 2015 it produced 369 GWh, a monthly capacity factor of 78.9%. It produced 2.5 TWh in 2015. During two days of January 2016, production varied from 3 MW to 619 MW.{{cite web|url=http://www.londonarray.com/project/renewable-energy-record-achieved-at-london-array/ |title=London Array - Renewable Energy Record Achieved at London Array|publisher=London Array|access-date=8 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160901094418/http://www.londonarray.com/project/renewable-energy-record-achieved-at-london-array/ |archive-date=1 September 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1378756/london-array-breaks-offshore-production-record |title=London Array breaks offshore production record|publisher=Windpower Monthly|date=8 January 2016|access-date=8 September 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161106025405/http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1378756/london-array-breaks-offshore-production-record |archive-date=6 November 2016|url-status=live}}

Its levelised cost has been estimated at £140/MWh.{{cite journal |last1=Aldersey-Williams |first1=John |last2=Broadbent |first2=Ian |last3=Strachan |first3=Peter |title=Better estimates of LCOE from audited accounts – A new methodology with examples from United Kingdom offshore wind and CCGT |journal=Energy Policy |date=2019 |volume=128 |pages=25–35|doi=10.1016/j.enpol.2018.12.044 |hdl=10059/3298 |s2cid=158158724 |hdl-access=free }}

=Phase 2=

A second phase was planned which would have seen a further 166 turbines installed to increase the capacity to 1000 MW. However, the second phase was scaled back and finally cancelled in February 2014 after concerns were raised by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds about its effect on a local population of red-throated divers.{{citation| url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26258271| title = Sea bird halts London Array wind farm expansion| work = BBC News| date = 19 February 2014| access-date = 20 June 2018| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180420122841/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-26258271| archive-date = 20 April 2018| url-status = live}}{{citation| url = http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1281530/london-array-phase-2-extension-scrapped| title = London Array phase 2 extension scrapped| first = Patrick| last = Smith| date = 19 February 2014| work = www.windpoweroffshore.com| access-date = 11 May 2014| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140619012355/http://www.windpoweroffshore.com/article/1281530/london-array-phase-2-extension-scrapped| archive-date = 19 June 2014| url-status = live}}

References

=Notes=

=Sources=

{{cite web |last=Nathan |first=Stuart |title= The Big Project: London Array| url=http://www.theengineer.co.uk/sectors/energy-and-environment/in-depth/the-big-project-london-array/1012971.article|publisher=The Engineer |date=25 June 2012 }}
{{citation| url = http://www.londonarray.com/downloads/Non-technical-summary.pdf| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130526202205/http://www.londonarray.com/downloads/Non-technical-summary.pdf|archive-date = 26 May 2013| title = Environmental Statement - Non-technical summary| date = June 2005| publisher = London Array Ltd. |ref=nontech2005}}
{{citation| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110920071946/http://www.londonarray.com/downloads/london_array_brochure.pdf| archive-date = 20 September 2011| url = http://www.londonarray.com/downloads/london_array_brochure.pdf| title = London Array - the world's largest offshore wind farm| publisher = London Array Ltd.| ref = labroc}}
{{citation| url=http://www.4coffshore.com/windfarms/london-array-phase-1-united-kingdom-uk14.html| title = London Array Phase 1| work = www.4coffshore.com}}