Iberdrola Advances Offshore Wind with Record-Breaking 115-Metre Blades at East Anglia Three
Iberdrola, through its UK subsidiary ScottishPower, has reached a major milestone in the development of offshore wind energy with the installation of the first turbine equipped with 115-metre blades at the East Anglia Three project. This development highlights the companies commitment to scaling renewable infrastructure and advancing technological innovation in the sector.
East Anglia Three is a substantial offshore wind farm collaboratively developed with Masdar, and it boasts an installed capacity of 1400 megawatts. The project, with a total of 95 turbines each generating 14 MW, aims to become one of the largest and most powerful offshore wind farms globally, upon completion scheduled for later this year.
The newly installed turbine features blades of unprecedented size in British waters, each measuring 115 metres in length. These blades are longer than a professional football pitch and constitute part of the major technological upgrade that boosts the efficiency and capacity of the park. Siemens Gamesa is responsible for manufacturing all 285 blades necessary for the project.
Furthermore, the turbines will reach an approximate height of 300 metres, including the foundations, comparable to the height of the Eiffel Tower. The turbines rotor diameter will be 236 metres, with each rotation producing enough electricity to power a UK household for over four days or charge around 1700 mobile phones. This signifies a substantial leap in offshore wind technology, combining size and performance benefits.
The installation was carried out with the support of the self-elevating vessel Wind Osprey, operated by Cadeler, with the addition of Wind Pace scheduled to commence operations in European waters soon. This logistical achievement underscores the industrial capacity and technological prowess involved in deploying large-scale offshore turbines.
Significantly, the project has a total investment of approximately 4 billion pounds (around 5 billion euros) and benefits from a long-term revenue stream secured through 15-year contracts for difference indexed to inflation, obtained in UK government auctions. A long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) has also been signed with Amazon in 2024, ensuring stable revenue and project viability.
During its construction phase, East Anglia Three has supported over 2300 jobs. Once operational, it is expected to support around 100 permanent jobs in eastern England, contributing to local economic development and regional energy security. The project exemplifies how technological advances in turbine blade manufacturing and offshore installation are transforming the energy landscape, making renewable power more efficient and sustainable.