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RWE has inaugurated the first state-of-the-art turbine blades at Siemens Gamesa’s Hull factory. The 108-meter blades will be attached to 100 x 14 MW offshore wind turbines. Once operational, the 1.4 GW Sofia Offshore Wind Farm will generate enough renewable electricity to power approximately 1.2 million UK homes annually.
Over 50% of the investment in the Sofia project is spent within the UK. Siemens Energy will manufacture, install, and commission all 100 SG 14-222 DD turbines, each standing 252m tall with 108m blades and a 222m rotor diameter. The wind farm will cover 593km², roughly the size of the Isle of Man.
RWE and Siemens Gamesa will also deploy recyclable blades on 44 of the 100 turbines, totaling 132 blades. Located on Dogger Bank in the central North Sea, 195km off the northeast coast of England, the Sofia project began offshore installation in early 2024 and is expected to be completed by 2026.
Tom Glover, RWE UK Country Chair: “To see these impressive turbine blades being produced, ready to be installed at our flagship Sofia offshore wind farm, is a fantastic demonstration of the true value that offshore wind brings to coastal communities, such as Hull. The potential for job creation within the renewable supply chain is huge. Not just with companies like Siemens Energy, which is manufacturing the blades for Sofia at their blade factory here in the UK – but right across the supply chain. Sofia is a significant development for RWE in the UK, and we are delighted to be able to see that investment being maximised in support of important local, coastal communities.”
Darren Davidson, Vice President Siemens Energy UK&I: “Our wind power business Siemens Gamesa makes Siemens Energy a global market leader for renewable energies. At our offshore wind blade factory in Hull we’re powering the energy transition. We now employ over 1,300 people at the site, after recruiting more than 600 new employees over the last 12 months. We are proud to be a key supplier to RWE on a number of UK projects, including manufacturing the blades for Sofia. It’s great to have this project underway and unveil the first blade.”
