Situated off the Norfolk coast, the Hornsea 3 Wind Farm project stands as a symbol of innovation and sustainability in renewable energy. As part of a larger cluster of offshore wind farms managed by Ørsted and Hitachi Energy, this initiative is integral to the UK Government’s strategy to achieve 50 Gigawatts of offshore wind capacity by 2030. With around 230 wind turbines covering an area of 696km², the 2.9GW, £8 billion Hornsea 3 wind farm will generate enough energy to meet the average daily electricity needs of over 3 million homes. Upon completion of the planned Hornsea 4 in 2027, this scheme will form the world’s single-largest offshore wind zone, marking a significant leap forward in green power generation.
WHAT WE DID
SDS was entrusted with designing and implementing a robust surface water attenuation system for the onshore electricity processing complex. Our team leveraged the advanced capabilities of the SDS GEOlight® attenuation tank and Weholite HDPE manholes to manage and mitigate flood risks effectively. This comprehensive drainage solution was meticulously engineered to accommodate the site’s unique hydrological characteristics, ensuring resilience against extreme rainfall events and safeguarding adjacent watercourses from potential contamination. Significant landscape features were preserved, and we adhered to stringent planning and environmental guidelines throughout the project.
RESULTS
The successful deployment of our surface water management system at the Hornsea 3 Wind Farm underscores the efficacy of our solutions in mitigating flood risks and preserving environmental integrity. Our product interventions have ensured that the HVDC substation can withstand extreme weather conditions, maintaining natural runoff rates and protecting downstream water bodies from contamination.
The main construction phase started in May 2023 and is expected to continue until March 2026, maintaining a rigorous schedule to support the UK’s green energy ambitions. The Hornsea 3 project stands as a testament to our commitment to engineering and manufacturing excellence, environmental protection and the seamless integration of innovative water management solutions in large-scale renewable energy projects.
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