Discover the Top 10 Largest Wind Farms in England: Are Any Near You?

As renewable energy gains momentum worldwide, wind farms are getting more and more attention. Some of the largest and most productive locations are in England. With plenty of countryside free from obstructions and offshore locations that are ideal for wind, this country has a great location for renewable energy production. Here are the ins and outs of wind farms, including the top locations in England.

Wind Farms and Their Purpose

Although they are called farms, these facilities do not grow crops, keep livestock, or do any of the other traditional farming practices. Instead, they cover large areas with turbines that convert wind into electricity. But unlike burning fossil fuels, wind energy does not have a negative impact on the environment. It is a good source of renewable energy.

You may have seen a wind farm during a drive or while traveling. In England, many of these facilities are offshore. Wind turbines are tall white structures with blades that move as the wind passes over them. They operate similarly to handheld windmills. Instead of the blades moving when you blow on them, they move when the atmosphere’s wind passes by. Kinetic energy then converts into electrical energy. This electricity can do everything from powering lights to running appliances. It can even charge vehicles.

Converting wind to electricity requires complex equipment and an entire system. Maintaining and operating the wind turbines also requires equipment and machinery. The wind farm takes care of all of this, from “harvesting” wind to generating electricity that consumers can use.

Challenges of Wind Farms

Building and maintaining a site can be costly. This cost often passes onto consumers, making wind farms more expensive overall. They also rely on the actual wind to generate power. When the turbines don’t get wind, there isn’t any electricity. This can further increase the costs to keep things running.

Finding the right place to build is crucial to long-term success. Some areas are naturally windier than others, making them ideal for wind farms. There are many areas in England that support this industry.

Top 10 Largest Wind Farms in England

Discover some of the largest wind farms in England on our list.

#1 Hornsea Two

Wind MW: 1386

This wind farm is offshore and located in the ocean. It is made up of 165 Siemens Gamesa 8MW turbines and powers over 1.4 million homes according to its reported power output. It is located in the North Sea near Yorkshire in England. The turbines and onshore site become fully operational in 2022 after being built during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was an especially large undertaking since Hornsea Two is the largest offshore wind farm in the world.

#2 Hornsea One

Wind MW: 1218

Right next to Hornsea Two is Hornsea One, another massive offshore wind farm. The power output is slightly less than the newer Hornsea Two but still very impressive. Hornsea One has 175 7MW wind turbines, also located in the North Sea. Orsted and Global Infrastructure Partners own it. They report that it was “the world’s first offshore wind farm to exceed 1 GW in capacity.” Construction finished in 2019. It powers over one million homes.

#3 Triton Knoll

Wind MW: 857

This wind farm is also located offshore in the North Sea. Construction of the offshore portion began in 2020 and was completed in early 2022. The onshore component is located in the port city of Grimsby. This location has been associated with maritime trade and operations dating all the way back to the medieval days. It is fitting that the future of renewable energy also uses this site.

#4 East Anglia One

Wind MW: 714

East Anglia One is jointly owned by Iberdrola Group and the Green Investment Group. The wind farm is made up of 102 7 MW turbines. Each turbine is 167 meters tall with blades that measure 75 meters long. Like the other wind farms around the world, the East Anglia One generates employment as well as energy. 3,500 jobs were created for its construction and other companies, including those manufacturing personal protective equipment for the workers, were also supported. 100 jobs were also added for the ongoing maintenance and operation of the equipment and facilities.

#5 Walney Extension

Wind MW: 659

This is another site owned and operated by Orsted. It has 87 turbines and is located in the Irish Sea. It is adjacent to Walney 1 and Walney 2. Prior to the completion of the Hornsea One in 2020, the Walney Extension was the largest offshore wind farm in the world. It is made of a combination of 7 MW and 8 MW turbines. The Walney Extension can generate enough power for 600,000 homes. Additionally, 250 jobs were created in the region to support onshore operations of the turbines and cables as well as maintenance of the equipment.

#6 London Array

Wind MW: 630

While not as large as some of the big-scale offshore wind farms that have been built after the London Array, it was one of the first offshore sites in the region and is notable for its cutting-edge technology. It is located in the Outer Thames Estuary and the onshore operations are in Ramsgate. It is near the Strait of Dover, one of the busier parts of the sea around England. The site was first chosen in 2001 after extensive research, construction began in 2009, and all equipment and facilities were operational by 2012.

#7 Race Bank

Wind MW: 580

Race Bank has 91 turbines and is part of the overall portfolio of wind farms owned by Orsted. It is offshore in the North Sea, just south of Hornsea One and Hornsea Two. It is 17 kilometers off the coast of North Norfolk and Lincolnshire, with cables running back all the way to the onshore site at Walpole. Based on its power output, Race Bank can provide enough energy for around 500,000 homes.

#8 Greater Gabbard

Wind MW: 504

Greater Gabbard is owned jointly by SSE Renewables and RWE Renewables, although SSE Renewables is responsible for the operation. The 140-turbine wind farm has been providing power since 2012. The onshore site is located in Lowestoft and the offshore turbines are in the North Sea. An extension is currently being developed called the North Falls Offshore Wind Farm.

#9 Dudgeon

Wind MW: 402

This offshore wind farm is also located in the North Sea, near Cromer in North Norfolk. It has 67 6MW wind turbine generators which provide enough power for up to 430,000 homes. It is 32 kilometers off the coast, one of the longest distances. Cables run back to the onshore facilities, which are operated by Equinor, one of the owners and the developer of the power plant in this wind farm. There is also an offshore substation that Equinor maintains and operates.

#10 Rampion

Wind MW: 400

The Rampion wind farm is located off the southern coast of England in the English Channel. It has 116 turbines and can power around 350,000 homes. Rampion has also taken additional steps to further invest in the community around it. These include outreach programs, an interactive visitor experience, and a Community Benefit Fund. Before construction, extensive environmental surveys were also completed and shared to ensure that the local ecosystem was not negatively impacted by the addition of the wind farm.