E.ON has officially opened the 400MW Rampion offshore wind farm in the UK.
After three years of construction, which included around 750 personnel at peak times, all 116 MHI Vestas 3.45MW turbines were put into operation in April.
Offshore work commenced in autumn 2015 to prepare the seabed for the turbine foundations, first of which was installed in early 2016, with all completed by November the same year.
Turbine installation began in March last year and was completed ahead of schedule in over six months in September.
A visitor center is expected to be opened by summer 2019, where interactive displays will provide information on the 400MW project, climate change and offshore wind energy.
“We continue to see the UK as an attractive market for the expansion of offshore wind. The government’s support for this technology and an intelligent funding system are also exemplary for other countries in Europe,” said Sven Utermöhlen , COO of E.ON Climate & Renewables.
Located 13km off the Sussex coast, Rampion will be producing electricity over the next 25 years.
The wind farm is a joint project of E.ON, Canadian energy company Enbridge and the Green Investment Rampion Ltd consortium. E.ON is responsible for the construction and operation.