Scrira Offshore Energy, a joint venture between Statoil and Statkraft, has officially opened its Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm off the coast of Norfolk, UK.
The 317MW wind farm, which is valued at £1bn and has 88 turbines with a capacity of 3.6MW each, has opened four years after Scira was granted consent by the UK government to build the project.
With the completion of the project, the UK now has over 2.5GW of operational offshore wind energy capacity.
Crown Prince Haakon of Norway was joined by UK energy and climate change secretary Edward Davey and Norwegian petroleum and energy minister Ola Borten Moe at the opening ceremony held at Holkham Hall in North Norfolk.
Davey said: "Sheringham Shoal will play an important part; supplying power to 220,000 homes, and providing jobs in the local community. Today’s opening is also an illustration of the strength of the UK’s strategic relationship with Norway."
Statkraft president and CEO, Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, said that the completion of the project is a mileston based on Statoil’s offshore experience and Stratkraft’s "competence as Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy."
He added: "The completion of Sheringham Shoal is a milestone based on Statoil’s offshore experience and Statkraft’s competence as Europe’s largest generator of renewable energy.
"The electricity produced makes a significant contribution to the ambitious UK plan to increase the level of renewables, and creates local jobs and growth opportunities."
Image: Crown Prince Haakon of Norway opens the Sheringham Shoal offshore wind farm at a ceremony held in North Norfolk. Photo: courtesy of Statoil.
