Overview

The Hornsea Three Offshore Wind Power Plant, located in the Southern North Sea, is an ongoing project developed by Ørsted UK. It has a capacity of 2.9GW and utilizes Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD turbine systems. The project began construction in 2019 and is expected to be completed by 2027, with a total value of USD 9600 million.

Background

Ørsted, a leading Danish energy company specializing in offshore wind power, is currently developing the Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm in the southern North Sea. This ambitious renewable energy project, part of Ørsted's portfolio, is set to produce 2.9 GW of electricity, making it the company's third gigawatt-scale development in the Hornsea zone. 

The wind farm, operated from Ørsted's hub in Grimsby, aims to provide green energy to approximately 3.3 million UK households upon completion, aligning with the UK government's (British energy security strategy) target of achieving 50 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030.

The Hornsea 3 project is not only a significant contributor to the UK's renewable energy goals but also a substantial job creator. It is expected to create up to 5,000 construction jobs and anticipates an additional 1,200 permanent positions during its operational phase, both directly and within the supply chain. With an operational lifespan of up to 15 years, Hornsea Project Three promises to play a vital role in advancing the UK's renewable energy sector and reducing carbon emissions.

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Hornsea 3 Location

Hornsea 3, situated in the UK North Sea, is positioned approximately 120 km off the Norfolk coast and 160 km off the Yorkshire coast. The wind turbines will be spread across a 696km² area.

Technical Specifications

The Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm will feature up to 231 units of SG 14-236 DD offshore wind turbines, each having a 14 MW capacity, spread across a vast 696km² area. These turbines, with a rotor diameter of 236m and a swept area equivalent to about six standard football pitches, incorporate advanced IntegralBlade® technology to enhance energy production by over 30% compared to traditional models.

Hornsea 3 will employ HVDC Light® technology, known for its efficient long-distance underwater power transmission. This system, with compact converter stations, will minimize electrical losses. The wind farm will utilize four HVDC converter stations - two offshore and two onshore - to manage power transmission between the turbines and the national grid. 

Hitachi Energy’s modular HVDC system, including the MACH™ advanced control and protection system, will be implemented on the offshore converter platform.

Transmission infrastructure for Hornsea 3 will include 170km of 320kV DC offshore cables, 50km of 320kV DC onshore cables, and four 400kV AC onshore cable circuits totaling 1.5km in length. These cables will facilitate connections between turbines, substations, and the national grid. 

The project will involve the installation of approximately 240 km of cables, including those linking to the National Grid. Upon completion, the focus will shift to land reinstatement efforts, including tree and hedgerow planting.

Notably, the two HVDC export cables and an interlink cable will span a combined length of 350 km, facilitating the connection of the wind farm to the national electricity grid.

Contractors Involved

Project cost

The Hornsea Three Offshore Wind Farm, projected to cost between USD 5.53 billion to USD 8.46 billion, encompasses expenses for construction, operation, and land acquisition. Pursuing compulsory acquisition powers, the Project Company secured an Agreement for Lease with The Crown Estate for a 696 km2 seabed area. 

Funding, expected from both internal (Ørsted A/S) and external sources, will be secured against anticipated revenue streams. Article 42 of the DCO ensures adequate funding to meet compulsory acquisition compensation liabilities, reflecting a proactive approach to financial planning.

Environmental Impact

Potential environmental impacts for the Hornsea 3 offshore wind project include alterations to marine processes like water levels and sediment distribution, disturbance to sandwaves and sandbanks, minor effects on shoreline dynamics, impacts on benthic ecology due to habitat loss and noise pollution, cumulative effects with other offshore activities like aggregate extraction and wind farms, and the possibility of transboundary effects on neighboring European Economic Area states. 

For commercial fisheries, potential impacts include reduced access to fishing grounds and gear conflicts, mitigated by advance warnings and safety zones. Shipping and navigation risks include route deviations and collision hazards, alleviated by safety measures like lighting and marine coordination. 

Overall, impacts are minor adverse, with some moderate risks during operation, addressed by additional mitigation measures. Transboundary effects on both commercial fisheries and shipping routes within the EEA are expected to be minimal, considering project measures.

Current Status & Future Outlook

Sarens and Aibel are engaged in assembling the HVDC converter platforms for the Hornsea project 3 at Aibel's facilities in Maptaphut, Thailand. Sarens has deployed two CC2800-1 crane units with a capacity of 600 tons each for this operation. These cranes are pivotal in lifting and positioning heavy sections, ensuring the successful completion of the modules. 

The Hornsea project, scheduled from January 2024 to the first quarter of 2025, marks a significant milestone in the construction phase. Additionally, Ørsted's existing Hornsea wind farms, Hornsea One and Hornsea two, are already contributing substantial clean energy to the UK grid, benefiting millions of households.

In October 2024, Ørsted has awarded Seaway7, a contract for the transport and installation (T&I) of the inter-array cables at the Hornsea 3 offshore wind project in the UK. Seaway7’s scope of work covers the transportation and installation of 192 66 kV inter-array cables, measuring approximately 500 kilometres in length, with offshore activities scheduled to commence in 2026.

In November 2024, Ørsted has commenced divesting a stake in Hornsea 3 offshore wind farm. The company aims to sell a 50% stake in the offshore wind project as part of its wider plan to ramp up divestments, following a turnaround plan initiated by company CEO Mads Nipper.

In October 2024, Brookfield acquired a GBP 1.75 billion stake in four of Ørsted’s operational wind farms in UK waters.

Summary

The Hornsea 3 Offshore Wind Power Plant is an ongoing project developed by Orsted in the Southern North Sea. It has a capacity of 2.9 GW and is expected to be completed by 2027 with a total project value of USD 9600 million. The project will utilize Siemens Gamesa SG 14-236 DD turbine systems and HVDC Light® technology for efficient power transmission. It is expected to create thousands of jobs and contribute to the UK's renewable energy goals. The project is currently in the construction phase, with the assembly of HVDC converter platforms underway.

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