Denmark commissions largest offshore wind farm

The Horns Rev wind farm is expected to produce 600 million kWh of electricity per year. It is located at Horns Rev, an aquatic reef 20km off the West Coast of Denmark. The 80 wind turbines were erected towards the end of 2002 but it is only now that the wind farm is producing commercially. Denmark produces 16 per cent of its electricity from wind power and Horns Rev is expected to increase this by a further 2 per cent by producing 160 MW at full operation. The country has set itself the goal of generating 4000 MW of electricity using this technology by 2030. The 1996 Kyoto Protocols call for a 5.2 per cent reduction in greenhouse gase emissions by 2010. To meet the standard, the EU has mandated that 22% of all energy should be generated from renewable sources such as wind power. Horns Rev Offshore Wind Farm TS