Renewable Energy: E.ON takes 50 percent stake in world’s largest offshore wind farm

Monday, July 21, 2008

E.ON has today joined with Danish utility DONG Energy to buy out Shell’s stake in the London Array offshore wind farm. E.ON and DONG Energy will become 50:50 partners in the project.

London Array is the world’s largest offshore wind farm project with an estimated total power up to 1,000 megawatt (MW). It is located around 15km from the Kent and Essex coasts in the outer Thames Estuary, and may include more than 270 wind turbines. Due to high wind speeds, a low water depth and suitable ground conditions, London Array is regarded as an ideal location for a large-scale offshore wind farm. It is hoped that the first phase of the project will be completed by the end of 2012, subject to securing a number of important contracts, such as those for wind turbines.

Shell, who has contributed to the project's significant progress to date, has committed to leave their staff in the project until the end of the year to enable a smooth transition and handover.

Worldwide E.ON plans to invest €6bn in renewable energy and climate protection projects by 2010. Its Market Unit E.ON Climate & Renewables already operates three offshore wind farms with an overall generation capacity of 83 MW, with a further 200 MW currently under construction.

This story was featured on the Eon website.

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