Greater Gabbard

Overview of the Greater Gabbard Wind Farm

The Greater Gabbard wind farm is a significant offshore wind power project located in the North Sea, approximately 23 kilometres (14 miles) off the coast of Suffolk, England, UK.

Location and Geography

The wind farm is situated on the Inner Gabbard and Galloper sandbanks, with water depths ranging from 20 to 32 meters.

Ownership and Operation

The project is a 50:50 joint venture between SSE Renewables and RWE Renewables UK Swindon. SSE Renewables operates the wind farm on behalf of the joint venture partners.

Capacity and Turbines

The Greater Gabbard wind farm has an installed capacity of 504 MW, generated by 140 Siemens SWT-3.6-107 wind turbines, each with a nameplate capacity of 3.6 MW. The turbines are installed on fixed monopile foundations, with each turbine standing 170 meters tall and having a rotor diameter of 130 meters.

Construction and Development

• Development rights for the project were secured from The Crown Estate in 2003.
• Planning permission was granted in 2007.
• Onshore construction began in 2008, and offshore construction started in 2009.
• The first two turbines began generating power to the National Grid in January 2011.
• The project was fully commissioned and entered commercial operation on September 7, 2012.

Contractors and Suppliers

• Fluor was responsible for the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services.
• Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy supplied the wind turbines and performed design, grid, and performance studies for the project.
• RWE Renewables UK Swindon and Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy are contracted for operations and maintenance services.

Energy Production and Impact

• The wind farm generates approximately 1,898,467 MWh of electricity annually, which is enough to power around 530,000 UK households.
• It offsets about 1,000,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per year.

Economic and Community Impact

• The project was built at a cost of £1.5 billion, with £650 million excluding the cost of grid connection.
• The wind farm has contributed significantly to local employment, with the operations and maintenance base in Lowestoft creating jobs.
• Greater Gabbard Offshore Winds Limited has invested in community funds, donating over £60,000 since 2012 and investing in staff training programs.

Environmental Considerations

• A full Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) was carried out for both the offshore and onshore works, as required by EU directives.

Historical Significance

• At the time of its development, Greater Gabbard was one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world and a pioneering project for the UK offshore wind industry.

Extension and Related Projects

• An extension project, known as the Galloper wind farm, was developed nearby. The Galloper wind farm, commissioned in April 2018, has a capacity of 353 MW and is owned by a consortium including Innogy SE, Siemens Financial Services, Sumitomo Corporation, ESB, and a consortium managed by Green Investment Group and Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets.
• There are also plans for a further extension known as the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm, which has been awarded an Agreement for Lease for up to 504 MW from The Crown Estate.

Technical Specifications

• Each turbine is supported by a steel monopole foundation, with a transition piece connecting the turbine to the monopile.
• The project includes an offshore substation with three 180 MVA transformers.
• Power is transmitted to the shore via three-phase 132 kV XLPE submarine cables, coming onshore at Sizewell near Leiston in Suffolk.

The Greater Gabbard wind farm is a significant contributor to the UK's renewable energy targets and has set a precedent for large-scale offshore wind projects in the region.