Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm

View the UK's largest Offshore Wind Farm: Scroby Sands in Norfolk

Kentish Flats 3 MW Offshore Wind Farm Wind Turbine

At the time of writing the Kentish Flats Offshore Wind Farm is the largest in the UK with thirty 3 MW turbines generating a combined maximum output of 90 MW. Situated in a grid if five east-west rows each containing six turbines, this farm covers an area of 10 square kilometers. Clean electricity started to be sent to the grid on 10th September 2005.

During its expected 20-year lifetime, the Kentish Flats offshore wind farm will displace over 4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide compared to fossil fuel electricity generation. After 20 years, the wind farm will be decommissioned and removed in its entirity from the offshore environment. They will supply the electricity needs of up to 100,000 British households.

The turbines are situated over 5 miles out at sea on the Southern side of the outer Thames estuary in water just 5 metres deep. The hub of each turbine is 70 metres above mean sea level, and the rotors are 90 metres in diameter. Power starts to be generated once the wind exceeds 4 m/s and peak power is at wind speeds of 14 m/s. If the wind exceeds 25 m/s the turbine automatically pitches its blades out of the wind to prevent overload. Each turbine is routinely maintained twice yearly, but they are designed to require minimal service. Find out more at the Kentish Flats Website (1).

Web Link References

(1) http://www.kentishflats.co.uk

Article from REUK.co.uk:
http://www.reuk.co.uk/Kentish-Flats-Offshore-Wind-Farm.htm
Published: 13th December 2006
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