Hornsea Two
The world's largest offshore wind farm at completion in 2022
Location
History & Background
Hornsea Two was developed by Danish offshore wind specialist Ørsted (formerly DONG Energy) on a Crown Estate seabed lease in the North Sea, about 89 km off the Yorkshire coast. Construction began in 2019, the first power was exported in late 2021, and the farm was fully operational in August 2022. It immediately overtook its sister site Hornsea One (1,218 MW) as the largest offshore wind farm in the world.
Why It Matters
Hornsea Two produces enough electricity to power roughly 1.4 million UK homes. Together with Hornsea One, it forms the core of what will eventually be the four-phase Hornsea Project—planned to exceed 6 GW once Hornsea Three and Four are complete. The site's success was crucial in establishing 1+ GW offshore wind as a routine class of project rather than a frontier experiment.
Environmental Impact
Hornsea Two displaces approximately 1.3 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually compared to a UK average grid mix. As with other large offshore wind projects, the foundations have been observed to attract artificial reef communities that benefit fish populations. Bird and marine mammal monitoring programs run continuously across the site.
Fun Facts
- Each Siemens Gamesa 8 MW turbine has blades 81 metres long—about the length of a football field.
- The substation that exports power back to the UK grid is one of the largest offshore platforms in the world.
- Dogger Bank, currently being commissioned, will substantially exceed Hornsea Two in capacity—but Hornsea Three, planned for 2027–2028, will then leapfrog Dogger Bank.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Hornsea Two the largest offshore wind farm?▾
Hornsea Two was the largest fully operational offshore wind farm from 2022 until Dogger Bank Wind Farm (3.6 GW) began commissioning. Hornsea Two remains the largest fully energized offshore wind farm in the world as of early 2026.
How many homes does Hornsea Two power?▾
Hornsea Two produces enough electricity to power approximately 1.4 million UK households.
Where is Hornsea Two located?▾
Hornsea Two is in the UK sector of the North Sea, approximately 89 km off the Yorkshire coast near the town of Grimsby.
About Wind Power
Wind power plants use wind turbines to convert the kinetic energy of wind into electricity. They are renewable, produce no emissions, and have become increasingly cost-competitive with conventional sources.
Other Wind Power Plants in United Kingdom
| Name | Capacity | Owner |
|---|---|---|
| Dogger Bank Wind Farm | 3.6 GW | SSE Renewables |
| Hornsea One | 1.2 GW | Ørsted |
| Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm | 857 MW | RWE |
| Walney Extension | 659 MW | Ørsted |
| London Array | 630 MW | Ørsted |
Related Reading
Data Information
Data Sources
Power plant data is based on the Global Power Plant Database by World Resources Institute, in collaboration with Google, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Enipedia, and the Global Energy Observatory. Editorial content on this page is curated and reviewed by the StatsPanda team using publicly available reporting and operator filings.
Disclaimer
Information found on this page is for informational purposes only. Power plant specifications, ownership, and operational status may have changed since the data was last updated. Please verify critical information with official sources.