The crucial role being the world’s largest offshore wind farms are playing in the current geo-political situation has been underlined.
Hornsea Two is closing in on taking the title from its predecessor as final commissioning works are undertaken ahead of handover to the Grimsby operations and maintenance team.
And opening a photography exhibition capturing the build-out of the multi-billion pound infrastructure project off the Humber, Orsted vice president Patrick Harnett said it plays a dual role in both Net Zero ambition and energy security.
Read more: Ørsted marks 10th anniversary of Humber investment with report on economic impact
For the power now connecting to the grid at North Killingholme is equivalent to that generated by Russian gas imports.
Opening the exhibition, which runs until June 26 at Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre, Mr Harnett, who heads up programmes for the Danish giant, said: “It is really exciting to be here, and great personally to see all the photographs and the journey a number of us have been on over five-plus years.
“The way we bring what goes on offshore and the incredible feats of engineering together from all over Europe and around the world, is amazing, and it is an asset we have created for UK Plc.
“Hornsea One and Hornsea Two together will offset enough gas fired generation to eliminate the need to import Russian gas. That’s impressive in my heart.”
They can power more than 2.3 million homes together, with the latest addition spanning 462 sq km of North Sea bed 89km off the East Yorkshire coast.
Reflecting on the build, he said: “These wind farms are a real labour of love - people dedicate many, many years of their lives to bringing them to life and keeping them going, for perhaps 35 years. It is a real personal investment.”
A total of 8,000 people have been involved in the build-out, with even more in the supply chain.
“It has touched so many people’s lives,” he said. “The local community and people in the area kow about the wind farm, but it exists over the horizon, you cannot physically see it.
“I hope this exhibition will give the people of Grimsby and visitors to the Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre a better understanding of what we've been doing over the past few years, as well as how an offshore wind farm comes together.
“So many families had wonderful careers in the town’s fishing heritage and a new industry is now here, helping reinvigorate this fantastic town, and it makes me really proud.
“It is 11 years since I first visited for Lincs offshore wind farm, with a cabin up by the Lock Keepers’ Cottage, and we now see how much has changed and how this wonderful industry has grown around the Humber.”
And launching the exhibition of more than 70 images taken by employees, contractors and professional photographers, he underlined his belief in the bid that has been put together for the forthcoming subsidy auction, in which Hornsea Three features.
Mr Harnett said: “The good news is this is not the end of it.We have come so far but we have only just started. We are going to win with Hornsea Three offshore wind farm, I’m totally confident, and we will be delivering from here, and we will carry that journey on to Hornsea Four, and they are only going to get bigger and better.”
The free exhibition provides a fascinating look behind the scenes at what it takes to install 165 wind turbines and connect them to the National Grid.
David Ornsby, operations manager of Grimsby Fishing Heritage Centre said: "We’re delighted to work with Ørsted to host this new exhibition in our Café Gallery. Grimsby has a wonderful heritage, pioneering some world-changing engineering achievements. This fascinating exhibition shows that this ambitious spirit is by no means only in the past.”
The exhibition is open from 10am to 4pm Tuesdays to Sundays, including bank holidays.
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