Those 118 turbines have a capacity of 333MW − well over half the 577MW installed offshore last year − showing continuing strong growth in offshore wind power, despite the financial crisis. In addition, 151 turbines capable of producing 440MW of power were installed, but not yet connected to the grid.
Four out of the 16 offshore wind farms under construction became fully operational − Poseidon in Denmark, Alpha Ventus in Germany, plus Gunfleet Sands and Robin Rigg in the UK.
To date in Europe there are 948 offshore wind turbines in 43 fully operational offshore wind farms, with a total capacity of 2,396MW.
Among the developers, E.ON Climate and Renewables developed 64 per cent of the offshore capacity grid connected during the first half of 2010, followed by Dong with 21 per cent and Vattenfall with 11 per cent.
Among the manufacturers, Siemens accounted for 55 per cent of the offshore capacity grid connected during the first half of 2010, Vestas 36 per cent and REpower 30.9 per cent.
’The number of offshore wind turbines connected to the grid in the first half of this year is well over half the total amount installed all last year and I am confident we are heading for a record year,’ said Justin Wilkes, director of policy at EWEA.
Five ways to prepare for your first day
If I may add my own personal Tip No. 6 it goes something like this: From time to time a more senior member of staff will start explaining something...