The first GE Renewable Energy offshore wind turbine nacelle to be tested in Blyth as part of a recent R & D agreement has been delivered to the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s world-leading 15MW drive train test facility via the Port of Blyth.
Having been shipped from GE Renewable Energy’s factory in France on board the Big Lift vessel Happy Sky, the Haliade 150-6MW was safely transported to the catapult’s facility in Blyth.
Port of Blyth Chief Executive Martin Lawlor said: “We’re pleased that the nacelle has been safely unloaded onto the Port quay and transferred to the ORE Catapult’s facility ahead of the next phase of the project. Partnerships such as ours with the Catapult are key to the continued success and growth of both the Port and the town of Blyth as a leading offshore energy base and GE’s faith use of the ORE Catapult services is testament to that.”
The Haliade 150-6MW nacelle will now undergo advanced test and demonstration programmes prior to GE’s next generation Haliade-X 12 MW nacelle being delivered to Blyth for accelerated indoor testing and validation.
ORE Catapult Test & Validation Director Tony Quinn said, “GE’s Haliade programmes will be the first to use the Catapult’s 15MW drive train test facility, and the investment in this technology is paramount to bringing such world-leading research and development programmes to the UK, supporting a strong local supply chain and innovation to service the offshore wind industry’s ambitious growth plans.”
For more information on ORE Catapult and the services they provide visit www.ore.catapult.org.uk.
For more information about North East England’s Offshore Energy Sector please visit Energy Gateway North East England
