London Array offshore wind farm
Thames Estuary, off the coast of Kent and Essex, UK · 2009–2013 (fully operational 2013) · £1.8 billion
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchAt its completion, it was the world's largest offshore wind farm, demonstrating the UK's leadership in offshore wind development. - The project highlighted the complexities of working in a busy shipping lane and environmentally sensitive area. - The success of London Array paved the way for even larger offshore wind projects in the UK.
Key engineering challenges
Building a large-scale wind farm 20km out to sea in the busy Thames Estuary. - Challenging weather and sea conditions in the estuary, impacting construction logistics. - Integrating a large number of turbines and associated infrastructure into the grid.
Project facts
- Client / owner
- E.ON, D.E Shaw, Masdar (formerly Dong Energy, E.ON, Masdar)
- Lead contractor
- N/A (multiple contractors)
- Lead designers
- N/A
- Project type
- new build
- Scale
- 630 MW capacity; 175 Siemens 3.6 MW turbines; covers 107 km2
- Disciplines
- civil; structural; mechanical; electrical; marine; geotechnical
- Standards & frameworks
- N/A
Sources: London Array: https://londonarray.com/ - ICE: https://www.ice.org.uk/what-is-civil-engineering/infrastructure-projects/london-array-offshore-windfarm - Tethys - Pacific Northwest National Laboratory: https://tethys.pnnl.gov/wind-project-sites/london-array