ABB 66 kV WindSTAR Transformers Make Debut on UK Demo Farms

ABB has delivered five new WindSTAR transformers to MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, to be deployed at the world’s first 66 kV offshore wind farm in the UK – the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator.

The Blyth Offshore Demonstrator is a 41.5MW, five-turbine wind farm, located off the coast of Blyth in Northumberland, and developed by EDF Energy Renewables.

The 66 kV WindSTAR transformer can fit into the tower of a wind turbine, enabling a new generation of powerful offshore wind turbines, such as the MHI Vestas 8.3MW units, to operate at a world record voltage of 66 kV, twice the existing 33 kV level.

The boost in voltage level is expected to reduce losses and make the wind generation systems more efficient.

As a follow-up order, ABB will supply another 11 such transformers to be deployed in large-scale offshore wind turbines at the European Offshore Wind Deployment Centre (EOWDC).

This 92.4MW offshore wind test and demonstration facility, located about 2.4 km off the coast of Aberdeen Bay and developed by Vattenfall, will comprise 11 MHI Vestas 8.4MW wind turbines.

“ABB’s latest 66 kV WindSTAR transformers bear testimony to our spirit of pioneering innovation and commitment to customer focus,” said Markus Heimbach, Managing Director of ABB’s Transformers business, a part of the company’s Power Grids division.

“The development facilitates the integration of offshore wind energy bringing, clean power to the people and reinforcing our position as a partner of choice for enabling a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”