Siemens Power Generation (PG) erected the turbines in less than 1.5 months, well ahead of schedule. Following commissioning and connection to the power grid, the turbines started commercial operation at the end of 2007.

The wind farm is located on the Burbo Flats in Liverpool Bay at the entrance to the River Mersey, about 6.5km from the Sefton coastline. The total power output is enough for more than 75,000 households: 12% of Merseyside's electricity demand.

It could reduce CO2 emissions by over 300,000t (300 million kilograms) a year, translating over the 20-year operating life to savings of 6.4 million tonnes. There will also be smaller but still significant SO2 and NOx savings.

CONSTRUCTION AT BURBO

Siemens leased a 45,000m² area in the port of Mostyn, North Wales, for onshore operations. The 65m-high steel towers were assembled upright, and all internal and electrical systems were tested before they were loaded onto the installation vessel. The purpose-built vessel carried towers, nacelles, hubs and blades for three turbines per trip to the site area, which is located about 12km from shore.

At the site, each turbine was erected in five heavy lifts with a maximum weight of approximately 185t each. The average erection time per turbine (which weighs almost 500t) was less than half a day.

Each turbine has a maximum blade tip height of around 130m from sea level, with the hub being around 80m high and the turbine rotor blades around 50m long. They are manufactured in Aalborg. The integral blades require no adhesives, with the blade produced in a single casting and so without seams which increases the blade strength.