London Array is one of the largest offshore wind farms in the world. It is located in the Thames Estuary, off the coasts of Kent and Essex.
With a total capacity of 630 MW, this wind farm can provide green energy to over 500,000 homes in the UK. But who owns this impressive renewable energy project? Let’s find out.
Introduction to London Array Wind Farm
London Array was developed by a consortium of three energy companies: E.ON, DONG Energy (now Orsted), and Masdar. The project was conceived in 2001 and construction began in 2011. It took two years to build all 175 turbines and install them over an area of 100 km².
The Owners of London Array Wind Farm
- E.ON – Based in Essen, Germany, E.ON is one of the largest energy companies in Europe. It owns a 30% stake in London Array.
- DONG Energy/Orsted – DONG Energy (now Orsted) is a Danish company that specializes in renewable energy projects.
It owned a 50% stake in London Array until it sold half of it to Canadian company La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ) in 2017. In November 2020, DONG Energy changed its name to Orsted.
- Masdar – Masdar is a renewable energy company based in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. It owns a 20% stake in London Array.
La Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (CDPQ)
CDPQ is a Canadian institutional investor that manages funds primarily for public and para-public pension plans. In September 2017, it acquired a 50% stake in London Array from DONG Energy (now Orsted) for £1.6 billion. This made CDPQ the first North American institutional investor to enter the offshore wind market in Europe.
The Future of London Array Wind Farm
London Array has been operational since 2013 and has already generated over 17 TWh of green energy. However, there are plans to expand the wind farm by installing an additional 23 turbines with a capacity of 115 MW. If approved, this expansion will increase the total capacity of London Array to over 700 MW.
Conclusion
In conclusion, London Array is jointly owned by E.ON, Orsted (formerly DONG Energy), Masdar, and CDPQ. This wind farm is a testament to the power of collaboration between different companies and countries to achieve a common goal – providing clean energy to millions of people around the world. With its impressive capacity and future plans for expansion, London Array is set to remain one of the most significant offshore wind projects for years to come.