Largest offshore wind farm celebrates power milestone

The first of 277 turbines is up and running at Dogger Bank wind farm

The world's largest offshore wind farm has started producing electricity for the first time.

Power from the first turbine at the Dogger Bank project, which is construction in the North Sea, is now being sent to the UK's national grid.

In total 277 turbines will be powered-up at the location, situated between 81 and 124 miles (130-200km) off the Yorkshire coast.

The wind farm is due for completion in 2026.

Dogger Bank is being developed and built by the UK's SSE Renewables in a joint venture with Norway's Equinor and Vårgrønn.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has hailed the milestone, saying it would bolster energy security, create jobs and lower electricity bills.

"Offshore wind is critical to generating renewable, efficient energy that can power British homes from British seas," he said.

"I'm proud that this country is already a world leader in reaching Net Zero by 2050, and by doubling down on the new green industries of the future, we'll get there in a way that's both pragmatic and ambitious."

Each rotation of the 107m (351ft) long blades on Dogger Bank's first operational turbine can produce enough clean energy to power an average British home for two days, SSE Renewables said.

Once complete, Dogger Bank's offshore turbines are expected to generate 3.6GW of power - enough for six million UK homes.

Alistair Phillips-Davies, chief executive of SSE, said Dogger Bank would provide "a significant boost" to UK energy security, affordability and leadership in tackling climate change.