The Burbo Bank Offshore Wind Farm comprises 25 efficient wind turbines and is situated on the Burbo Flats in Liverpool Bay at the entrance to the River Mersey, approximately 6.4km (4.0 miles) from the Sefton coastline and 7.2km (4.5 miles) from North Wirral.

Burbo Bank is exposed to the full force of the wind from west. The Irish Sea and its shifting sands were once feared by storm driven sailing ships. These selfsame winds and shallow waters now make it an ideal location for offshore wind turbines.

The location was chosen for a number of reasons:

• Good average wind speed
• Shallow water depth
• No perceived environmental issues
• Good seabed conditions for foundations.
• Close to an onshore electricity connection
• Within Port Authority jurisdiction (for safety reasons)
• Local familiarity with wind power - Seaforth Docks Wind Farm

Each wind turbine is designed to run for approximately 6000 hours each year over 20 years. By comparison, the design life time of a car engine is 20 times less, i.e. only one year if the car is set to run 4,000 to 6,000 hours.