Blade production for Ørsted’s Hornsea 3, the world’s single largest offshore wind farm, has started at the Siemens Gamesa blade factory in Hull. The facility employs more than 1,400 local people.
The blades themselves are huge – with each measuring 115m long – slightly longer than a Premier League Football Pitch.
Hornsea 3 will be equipped with 197 SG 14-236 offshore wind turbines, power boosted to 15 MW – each with three blades.
Once operational, the wind farm will produce more than 2.9GW of clean energy, enough to power more than 3.3 million UK homes. It is the third in Ørsted’s Hornsea Zone, following Hornsea 1 and 2, which together are capable of generating enough power for 2.5 million UK homes. Blades produced by Siemens Gamesa in Hull help power both existing wind farms so the Hornsea Zone has supported local manufacturing for almost a decade. The facility is an example of how the offshore wind industry helps support jobs and growth in the UK’s regions.
Energy Minister Michael Shanks said: "This is what good growth in every postcode looks like - world-leading offshore wind blades built in Hull, powering clean homegrown electricity for millions of homes from off the coast of Yorkshire.
"As we tackle the root cause of high energy bills, our exposure to volatile international fossil fuel markets, we are determined that the homegrown power we build must deliver for Britain too: creating British jobs and backing British innovation in our communities."
Luke Bridgman, Managing Director, Hornsea 3 at Ørsted, said: “This is a proud milestone for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm and these massive blades reflect how offshore wind energy continues to develop. This impressive feat of engineering is another part of the jigsaw that will help to power the UK.”
Darren Davidson, UK Vice President for Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, said: “Projects like Hornsea 3 demonstrate the scale of industrial capability required to deliver the energy transition. At 115 metres, these are the largest blades ever manufactured in the UK, reflecting how far offshore wind technology has advanced in recent years. Producing them in Hull is the result of over 10 years of investment in facilities, people, and expertise, and shows how offshore wind can support skilled manufacturing jobs while strengthening the UK's domestic supply chain.”
