Located 120km off the Yorkshire coast, the project is part of the Hornsea Offshore Wind Farm zone that has a maximum wind generation capacity of 4GW.
Dong Energy CEO Henrik Poulsen said: "Hornsea together with Race Bank, Westermost Rough and Lincs will make up a giant production area off the British east coast, supporting our efforts to deliver green and independent energy to society."
Planned to be commissioned in around 2020, the Hornsea Project One is expected to feature between 150 and 332 offshore wind turbines based on the size of the units selected.
Designed to meet the electricity needs of well over one million UK homes, the Hornsea project is expected to help Dong Energy reach its goal to have 6.5GW of installed offshore wind capacity by 2020.
The offshore wind farm is expected to create around 2,000 jobs during its construction, and an additional 300 jobs throughout its 25 year of operational life.
Upon completion, the project is expected to be first in the world to have more than 1GW of capacity, the company said.
Dong Energy UK country chairman Brent Cheshire said: "Our decision to construct this giant wind farm underlines our commitment to the UK market.
"Hornsea Project One will support the supply chain and help create local jobs. To have the world’s biggest ever offshore wind farm located off the Yorkshire coast is hugely significant, and highlights the vital role offshore wind will play in the UK’s need for new low-carbon energy."
In April 2014, the UK Government granted a Final Investment Decision Enabling contract for difference for the wind farm. The project will also receive a fixed tariff for the first 15 years of production.
Image: Illustration of offshore wind farm. Photo: courtesy of Ramboll Group.
