For the first time, the National Grid ESO in the UK has issued a contract to an offshore wind farm to maintain stable voltage levels in the power network. From 2024, the Dogger Bank C offshore wind farm’s transmission assets will supply 200 megavolt amperes of reactive power (MVAr), which is used to ensure network stability. According to the reports, this will aid in the stabilisation of grid voltage in the northeast of England following the planned closing of the Hartlepool nuclear power station in March 2024.
The 1.2 GW Dogger Bank C wind farm is located off the northeast coast of England. SSE Renewables of the UK, Equinor of Norway, and ENI of Italy are among the investors. Furthermore, National Grid selected National Grid Electricity Transmission to assist control voltage in the West Yorkshire area for the next ten years, starting in 2024, by supplying 500 MVAr.
In August 2021, National Grid proposed to launch a 1.8 GW high voltage direct current for offshore wind projects. The new power cable would link Norway and the UK. The “continental link” may connect 3.6 GW of offshore wind projects and deliver electricity for 1.8 million households in the UK. The European Commission has set goals for 60 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2030 and 300 GW by 2050.
