A MAJOR windfarm company will use a UK firm to provide the foundations for one of the world's largest offshore sites. 

DONG Energy is powering forward with plans to construct the Walney extension offshore windfarm, which is set to generate 660MW of green energy, and has enlisted the help of a British firm to deliver the project.

Teesside firm, OSB (Offshore Structures Britain), is set to provide DONG Energy with 40 monopile foundations which will support the turbines. 

The firm has been subcontracted by the German company, EEW, who won the tender to supply the foundations for the windfarm. 

Mats Vikholm, senior vice president for DONG Energy Wind Power, said: "This contract award is the direct result of close cooperation between DONG Energy Wind Power and EEW aimed at reducing the cost of electricity from offshore wind generation. 

"This cooperation began on the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm for which EEW was awarded the foundation manufacturing contract in February this year. 

"It is especially pleasing that we have again been able to secure UK content through the involvement of OSB who have already manufactured parts for the first transition piece structures for the Burbo Bank Extension project."

Earlier this year DONG Energy chose MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, with their 8.0MW turbine, as its preferred supplier for the first phase of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm. 

It also named Siemens as preferred supplier for delivery of their 7.0MW wind turbine for the second phase of the project.

Walney Extension has already been awarded a contract for difference under the EMR FID-enabling regime and, in November 2014, the project was granted consent by the British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

DONG Energy has not yet taken a final investment decision on the project. 

The Walney Extension offshore wind farm has a maximum capacity of 660MW and is located approximately 19 kilometres off the Cumbrian coast, next to the existing Walney offshore windfarm. 

Based on the formal permits and timetable for Walney Extension, offshore construction could potentially start in 2017.