The 24 REpower turbines are now fully operational and connected to the grid, and set to generate about 500,000MWh of electricity a year for RWE’s Dutch unit Essent.

“Construction of Thornton Bank wind farm is on schedule and is matching up to our expectations,” said Hans Bünting, chief executive of RWE Innogy.

“This project shows that when the conditions are right and long-term planning is possible, offshore wind energy can work on an industrial scale.”

RWE Innogy has a 26.7%