Offshore Wind helps to stabilize UK grid

It's the first time, National Grid has awarded a contract to an offshore wind farm to help keep voltage levels in the power network stable, according to Reuters.

The transmission assets of the Dogger Bank C offshore wind farm will provide 200 megavolt amperes of reactive power (MVAr), which is used to maintain network stability, for a 10-year period from 2024. This will help stabilise voltage on the grid in the northeast of England after the expected closure of Hartlepool nuclear power station in March 2024.

"Reactive power capability is vital for managing voltage and being able to operate a zero carbon system of the future," Julian Leslie, head of networks at National Grid ESO, said in a statement. "We're excited to see that an offshore wind farm’s transmission asset will deliver reactive power to support the wider network for the first time in Britain."

The Dogger Bank C wind farm off the northeast coast of England has an installed capacity of 1.2 gigawatts.