Gunfleet Sands 3

Location

The Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project is situated 8.5 kilometres southeast of Clacton-on-Sea, Essex, UK.

Purpose

This project was initiated to test and demonstrate the performance, reliability, and functionality of Siemens' next-generation 6 MW offshore wind turbines. It is part of DONG Energy's (now Ørsted) efforts to further industrialize the offshore wind industry and reduce the cost of energy.

Development and Consent

Planning for the Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project began in 2010. The project received full consent in 2012, allowing for the installation of two Siemens 6 MW turbines. This was the first time these turbines were tested in an offshore environment.

Turbine Specifications

• Each turbine has a capacity of 6 MW.
• The turbines feature Direct Drive Technology.
• They have a rotor diameter of 120 meters and a swept area of 11,500 square meters.

Installation and Construction

• Construction started in May 2012, with the turbines installed by January 2013.
• The installation was carried out by A2SEA using the offshore vessel Sea Worker.
• Monopile foundations and transition pieces were supplied by Bladt Industries and installed by Ballast Nedam in 2012.

Electrical Infrastructure

• The turbines are connected through a dedicated export cable.
• The electrical infrastructure includes inter-array and export cables supplied by JDR Cables at a voltage of 33 kV.

Operational History

• The site began generating power in April 2013.
• A blade replacement was necessary in mid-2013 due to damage to one of the turbine tips.
• The facility was officially opened on 12 September 2013 by UK Energy Minister Greg Barker.

Environmental and Technical Impact

• The project is part of the broader effort to reduce CO2 emissions and contribute to the UK's renewable energy targets.
• The demonstration project helps in verifying the performance and reliability of larger turbines, which is crucial for future Round 3 wind farm developments in deeper waters.

Ownership and Operation

• The Gunfleet Sands Offshore Wind Farm, including the Gunfleet Sands 3 demonstration project, is owned by Ørsted (50.1%) and Marubeni Corporation (49.9%), with partial stakes held by other entities such as the Development Bank of Japan.

This demonstration project marks a significant step in the development and testing of next-generation offshore wind turbines, aligning with the industry's goal to make offshore wind power more competitive and efficient.