Secretary of State welcomes DONG Energy's decision to build world’s largest offshore wind farm

2016-03-02T09:00:00.0000000Z

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Amber Rudd today welcomed the news that DONG Energy will build the giant Hornsea Project One offshore wind farm, capable of powering well over 1 million UK homes.

With a capacity of 1.2 gigawatts (GW), Hornsea Project One will be the world's first offshore wind farm to exceed 1 GW in capacity and underlines DONG Energy's commitment to the UK market.

Notes to editors:

1. The information provided in this announcement does not change DONG Energy's previous financial guidance for the 2015 financial year or the announced expected investment level for 2015-2016.

2. Hornsea Project One is one of three DONG Energy offshore wind farms granted a Final Investment Decision Enabling contract (Contract for Difference) by the UK Government in April 2014.

3. Hornsea Project One will see DONG Energy reach its strategic target of installing 6.5 GW of offshore wind by 2020.

About DONG Energy:
DONG Energy is one of the leading energy groups in Northern Europe. Our business is based on procuring, producing, distributing and trading in energy and related products in Northern Europe. Headquartered in Denmark, DONG Energy has around 6,500 employees, including over 600 in the UK. The Group generated DKK 67 billion (EUR 9.0 billion) in revenue in 2014. For further information, see www.dongenergy.co.uk

Amber Rudd said:

"Thanks to Government support the UK is the world leader in offshore wind energy and this success story is going from strength to strength. DONG Energy's investment shows that we are open for business and is a vote of confidence in the UK and in our plan to tackle the legacy of under-investment and build an energy infrastructure fit for the 21st century.

"This project means secure, clean energy for the country, jobs and financial security for working people and their families, and more skills and growth boosting the Northern Powerhouse".

Hornsea Project One will be located 120 kilometres off the Yorkshire coast – further than the distance from Leeds to Liverpool.

DONG Energy is the sole owner of Hornsea Project One after acquiring the 66.66% ownership share of SMart Wind in February 2015. DONG Energy also has the project rights to Hornsea Project Two and Hornsea Project Three, which have the potential of 3 GW of offshore wind power capacity in total.

Hornsea Project One is expected to be fully commissioned in 2020.

For additional information, please contact:

Ørsted
+44 20 7811 5208