Wind Energy
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, UK
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is a wind farm located off the coast of Norfolk, in the North Sea, United Kingdom. It covers an area of approximately 35 square kilometers and consists of 88 wind turbines, with a total capacity of 317 megawatts.
The wind farm was developed by Equinor (formerly known as Statoil) and Statkraft, and was officially opened in September 2012. The project was constructed over a period of three years, and it was one of the first large-scale offshore wind farms to be built in the UK.
The electricity generated by the wind farm is transmitted to the shore via undersea cables, and is enough to power approximately 220,000 homes. The project has created jobs and contributed to the local economy, and has also helped to reduce carbon emissions and promote renewable energy in the UK.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - History
The idea for the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm was first proposed in 2001 by Scira Offshore Energy Limited, a joint venture between Equinor (formerly known as Statoil) and Statkraft. The initial plan was to construct a wind farm with a capacity of 315 megawatts, consisting of 108 wind turbines.
History of Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, UK
Here's a table summarizing the history of Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm:
| Milestone | Date | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Lease Obtained | 2004 | Scira Offshore Energy acquires the lease for the seabed. |
| Planning Consent | 2008 | The project receives offshore planning consent. |
| Construction | 2009-2011 | Construction of the wind farm takes place. |
| Commissioning | September 2012 | The wind farm is officially opened and begins operation. |
Additional Notes:
- The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is a Round 2 project, located in the North Sea, off the coast of Norfolk, UK.
- It consists of 88 wind turbines with a capacity of 3.6MW each, generating a total of 317MW of electricity.
- The wind farm produces around 1.1TWh of green energy per year, enough to power almost 280,000 homes and offsetting approximately 500,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.
- Currently, the wind farm is owned by Scira Offshore Energy Limited, a joint venture between Equinor, Green Investment Group, and Equitix. Equinor also operates the facility.
However, the project faced several challenges, including opposition from local communities, concerns about the impact on marine wildlife, and the high cost of offshore wind energy at the time. In 2004, Scira Offshore Energy Limited decided to revise the project, reducing the number of turbines to 88 and scaling back the capacity to 317 megawatts.
The revised plan received approval from the UK government in 2009, and construction began in 2010. The wind farm was built over a period of three years, with the installation of the last turbine completed in 2012. The total cost of the project was approximately £1.1 billion.
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm was officially opened in September 2012 by the UK Energy Minister, and it was one of the first large-scale offshore wind farms to be built in the UK. The project has since contributed to the growth of the UK's offshore wind industry, which has become a major source of renewable energy in the country.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - Profile
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm Extension Project, UK - Profile
This appears to be a profile for the extension project of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, not the original farm itself.
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Project Type | Offshore Wind |
| Total Capacity (MW) | 317 (planned) |
| Active Capacity (MW) | Not applicable (under development) |
| Pipeline Capacity (MW) | 317 |
| Project Status | Permitting |
| Project Location | North Sea, England, UK |
| Project Developer | Scira Extension |
| Co-owners | Equinor (33.33%), Equitix (33.33%), Green Investment Group (33.33%) |
| Area | 92.6 km² |
| Turbine Foundation | Fixed |
| Inter-array Cable | 66kV |
| Number of Turbines | 23 (planned) |
| Development Status | Construction expected to start in 2024, commercial operation by 2027 |
Note: This information is based on a source for the extension project Power Technology: [invalid URL removed]. Details on the original Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm might differ.
Here are some key facts and figures about the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm:
Total capacity: 317 MW
Number of turbines: 88
Turbine type: Siemens Gamesa SWT-3.6-107
Turbine height: 125 meters
Location: North Sea, approximately 17-23 kilometers off the coast of Norfolk, UK
Developer: Equinor (formerly known as Statoil) and Statkraft, through a joint venture called Scira Offshore Energy Limited
Construction period: 2010-2012
Electricity generation: Enough to power approximately 220,000 homes
Carbon dioxide emissions reduction: Equivalent to taking around 125,000 cars off the road annually
Contribution to local economy: Creation of jobs and contracts for local businesses during construction and ongoing operations.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - Technology
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm uses advanced technology to generate electricity from wind power in the North Sea.
Here are some of the key technologies used in the project:
Turbines: The wind farm consists of 88 Siemens Gamesa SWT-3.6-107 turbines, each with a capacity of 3.6 MW. The turbines are mounted on steel monopile foundations, which are driven into the seabed to provide stability.
Substations: The electricity generated by the turbines is transmitted to two offshore substations, which are then connected to an onshore substation via undersea cables. The onshore substation converts the electricity to a higher voltage for transmission to the national grid.
Control systems: The wind farm is equipped with advanced control systems that monitor and optimize the performance of the turbines. This includes real-time data collection and analysis, as well as remote control capabilities.
Maintenance vessels: The wind farm is serviced by a fleet of specialized vessels that are designed to transport technicians and equipment to and from the turbines for maintenance and repair work.
The technology used in the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm represents some of the latest advancements in offshore wind power generation, and has helped to establish the UK as a leader in this field.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - Operator
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is operated by Equinor, which was previously known as Statoil. Equinor is a Norwegian multinational energy company that is one of the world's largest producers of offshore oil and gas, as well as a leading developer of renewable energy projects such as offshore wind farms.
Equinor has been involved in the Sheringham Shoal project from the beginning, as a partner in Scira Offshore Energy Limited, the joint venture that developed and constructed the wind farm. Equinor also operates several other offshore wind farms in Europe, including the Dudgeon and Hywind Scotland wind farms in the UK, and the Arkona wind farm in Germany.
As the operator of the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, Equinor is responsible for the day-to-day management of the wind farm, including maintenance and repair work, as well as ensuring that the wind farm operates safely and efficiently. Equinor also works closely with local communities, stakeholders, and regulators to ensure that the wind farm operates in an environmentally responsible manner and provides long-term benefits to the local economy.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - Financial and Energy Contribution
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm has made significant financial and energy contributions to the UK since it began operations in 2012.
Here are some key figures related to the wind farm's financial and energy contributions:
Total cost: Approximately £1.1 billion
Economic contribution: The wind farm has created jobs and contracts for local businesses during construction and ongoing operations, providing a boost to the local economy.
Annual electricity generation: Approximately 1.1 TWh (terawatt-hours)
Homes powered: Enough to power approximately 220,000 homes annually
Carbon dioxide emissions reduction: Equivalent to taking around 125,000 cars off the road annually
The electricity generated by the wind farm is sold to energy suppliers who then distribute it to homes and businesses across the UK. The project has helped to reduce the UK's reliance on fossil fuels and has supported the country's transition to a low-carbon economy. Additionally, the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm has helped to establish the UK as a leader in offshore wind technology and has paved the way for other renewable energy projects to be developed in the country.
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm has been a successful and valuable investment in the UK's energy future, providing both environmental and economic benefits.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - Energy Contribution
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is a significant source of renewable energy in the UK, and makes a substantial contribution to the country's overall electricity generation. Here are some key figures related to the wind farm's energy contribution:
Total capacity: 317 MW
Annual electricity generation: Approximately 1.1 TWh (terawatt-hours)
Homes powered: Enough to power approximately 220,000 homes annually
Carbon dioxide emissions reduction: Equivalent to taking around 125,000 cars off the road annually
Economic contribution: The wind farm has created jobs and contracts for local businesses during construction and ongoing operations, providing a boost to the local economy.
The electricity generated by the Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is fed into the UK's national grid, and is sold to energy suppliers who then distribute it to homes and businesses across the country. The wind farm's contribution to the UK's renewable energy mix has helped to reduce the country's reliance on fossil fuels and has supported the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK - International Investment
Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK: Investment Support (with Table)
Here's a table outlining the investment support for Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm:
| Investor | Year | Investment Details |
|---|---|---|
| European Investment Bank (EIB) | 2009 | Loan to support project development and construction. |
| UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) | 2014 | Acquired a 20% stake in the wind farm for £240 million. |
| TRIG Invest | 2017 (approx.) | Acquired a 14.7% indirect equity interest for approximately £80 million. |
Additional Notes:
- The initial financing for Sheringham Shoal likely involved various sources beyond those listed in the table.
- The EIB loan aimed to contribute to the UK's renewable energy goals.
- The involvement of GIB and TRIG Invest demonstrates the attractiveness of Sheringham Shoal to institutional investors in the renewable energy sector.
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm has received international investment from a number of sources. The project was developed and constructed by Scira Offshore Energy Limited, a joint venture between Norwegian energy company Statoil (now known as Equinor) and the Abu Dhabi-based renewable energy company Masdar. The joint venture was established in 2009 and was responsible for the design, construction, and operation of the wind farm.
In addition to the joint venture partners, the Sheringham Shoal project also received financing from a number of international banks and financial institutions, including the European Investment Bank and the Nordic Investment Bank. The involvement of international investors in the project reflects the growing interest in renewable energy and offshore wind projects around the world.
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is a good example of how international cooperation and investment can help to advance the development of renewable energy projects. By bringing together expertise, technology, and financial resources from different countries, projects like Sheringham Shoal can help to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable and low-carbon energy future, while also creating economic opportunities and benefits for local communities.
Conclusion for Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm UK Review
The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm is an important source of renewable energy in the UK, providing enough electricity to power approximately 220,000 homes annually while also reducing carbon dioxide emissions and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy.
The wind farm is operated by Equinor, a leading energy company that is involved in several other offshore wind projects in Europe.
The project has also had a positive impact on the local economy, creating jobs and contracts for businesses during construction and ongoing operations. The Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm represents some of the latest advancements in offshore wind technology, and serves as an example of the potential for renewable energy to play a significant role in meeting the world's growing energy needs.