Vattenfall now supplies power from the Vesterhav Syd offshore wind farm
Monday 13 November 2023
November 10 was a very special day for Vattenfall in Denmark. Almost seven years of work with Vesterhav Syd culminated here, when the blades of the first turbine were turned against the wind and the production of fossil-free electricity began.
"It is a huge relief to finally deliver power from Vesterhav Syd. When you look at the challenges that have been throughout the process, since we won the tender in 2016 and during the construction work, we are extra proud today," says Mathilde Damsgaard, project director for Vesterhav South and North at Vattenfall.
The 20 turbines in Vesterhav Syd were erected from July to September this year, and it was originally Vattenfall's plan to connect the turbines to the grid individually immediately after installation. But that plan had to be changed because the installation of the cables between the turbines at sea and the power grid on land did not go as planned. As long as there is no connection between the turbines and the electricity grid, the turbines cannot produce electricity.
Specifically, Vattenfall's contractor could not bury the cables deep enough in the seabed. The contractor changed methods and tools, and that work is now bearing fruit.
However, the cable work has not been the only challenge for the schedule. Among other things, the weather has also been harsher than average.
The later connection of turbines means that the production of electricity in 2023 will in all probability be lower than expected. However, Vattenfall does not expect a loss for the park's owners over the lifetime, as production and income are simply pushed forward in time. The lifetime of the turbines is thus calculated only from the date when the supply of power begins.
The radar-controlled light will only work in the new year
As something completely new in Denmark, the warning lights on the turbines in Vesterhav South and North are only activated if a plane approaches one of the parks. Otherwise, the red light will be off.
However, the radar-controlled light can only be activated when the parks are fully operational and when the necessary tests with aircraft have been completed. Until then, the warning light on the turbines will be on all the time – white during the day and red at night.
"We have to be 100 percent sure that the radar-controlled light works as it should before we can activate it. We expect to be ready first in the new year. So we ask for people's patience for a few more months," says Mathilde Damsgaard.
Vattenfall is working towards full connection at the turn of the year
The production of power in Vesterhav Syd takes place for the time being from ten of the park's turbines, while the last ten are expected to be connected within a few weeks. At the same time, Vattenfall is working hard to establish connection to the wind turbines in Vesterhav Nord. Both parks should be fully connected by the end of the year.
"There are not many days left in 2023, so a full connection of Vesterhav Nord by the turn of the year is a big challenge. But no one has a greater interest in achieving it than us at Vattenfall, and we do everything we can," says Mathilde Damsgaard.