Windfarm Takes Shape

A massive floating crane has lowered two offshore substations into place at the site of what will eventually become the world's largest wind farm, 15 miles off the Kent coast.

It is a key phase in the construction of the London Array Offshore Wind farm which will help supply thousands of homes.

The 1,260 ton substations will transform the electricity generated by 175 wind turbines from 33,000 volts to 150,000 volts, and then transport it back to another substation onshore at Cleve Hill, near Faversham where it will be increased to 400,000 volts.

Richard Rigg, Project Director at London Array, said: "This is a fantastic achievement for us and a real sign of progress.

"We should never underplay the difficulties of working offshore – especially when we’re using a 3,300 tonne lift-capacity floating crane to place something that’s 25m by 23m, and 22m tall, onto a foundation 15km from shore, but it’s fair to say that things went swimmingly."

175 wind turbines will start to be installed at the 245km² site towards the end of the year.