​A specially designed vessel transporting the initial turbines for a large offshore wind farm in the North Sea has set off on its maiden voyage.

The Wind Peak, a turbine installation vessel operated by Cadeler, set sail from the Port of Hull with the first six sets of 14 MW turbines destined for the Sofia offshore wind farm. Located on Dogger Bank, approximately 195 km off the northeast coast of England, the project is being developed by energy firm RWE.

Once operational, Sofia will have a capacity of 1.4 GW, capable of generating enough electricity to power around 1.2 million homes. The wind farm is expected to begin generating power later this year, with full commissioning scheduled for 2026.

The Wind Peak, one of the most advanced vessels of its kind, has a deck space of 5,600 square metres and a payload capacity exceeding 17,600 tonnes. It features a main crane capable of lifting over 2,500 tonnes, allowing it to transport and install up to seven complete turbine sets per voyage.

Siemens Gamesa has also announced that the first of 150 recyclable wind turbine blades for the project have been produced at its Hull facility. Fifty of the Sofia wind farm's 100 turbines will be fitted with these sustainable blades, designed to be fully recyclable at the end of their lifespan.

The Sofia project marks a significant milestone in the UK's renewable energy ambitions, with offshore wind now playing a crucial role in the country's efforts to transition to cleaner power sources.

Construction of the wind farm is progressing on schedule, with turbine installation set to begin shortly. RWE has confirmed that the project remains on track to contribute to the UK's goal of achieving net zero emissions by 2050.