World’s Largest Offshore Wind Farm Acquired by European Utilities

Shell which has a stake of 33% in the world’s biggest largest wind farm sold out to E.O.N. a German organisation and Dong Energy, a Danish concern. Both partners will operate the London Array scheme that has the potential to connect more than 700000 homes with wind farm powered electricity.  This deal, according to the energy minister in the UK government is made more powerful by its potential to bring in investments amounting £3bn just from north-east England.

Till recently, several attempts to operate wind farms in order to supply power have failed to materialise. Delays in conceptualisation, cost issues and concerns for radar performance from the Ministry of Defence had largely contributed to this scenario.

Shell had caused a lot of resentment among E.O.N. executives when it seemed likely to that it would not go ahead with the sale. E.O.N. chief executive, Golby is now a relieved man and working towards fulfilling the initial phase by year end 2012 providing crucial contracts are in place to operationalise the plant. The UK government is equally relieved and pleased that this coincided with the planning of a huge onshore wind farm in Europe.

While launching a fresh renewable energy plant at Blyth, Malcolm Wicks, the energy minister remarked that green energy initiatives could be helped greatly by the manufacturing skills of the north-east. Boosting energy production from renewable sources will be greatly assisted by offshore wind, he said. The minister emphasised the UK government’s keen interest and commitment to cultivate UK’s image as a high potential investment zone for green energy.  Things look even brighter, the minister added, given the recent plans by Clipper Wind, a Californian energy plant. Clipper Wind is in the process of developing the world’s most massive wind turbine at the Blyth Centre.

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