RenewableUK, the country's leading renewable energy trade association has welcomed today's announcement by the Crown Estate of four demonstration sites for offshore wind technology, a decision it believes to be essential in attracting manufacturers to the UK and creating jobs.
The four test sites, two in England and two in Scotland, will allow manufacturers to test 'next generation' wind turbines that will drive down the cost of offshore wind and facilitate the expansion of the offshore industry.
Peter Madigan, Head of Offshore Renewables at RenewableUK said:
"The UK is already a world-leader in terms of offshore wind deployed and the amount of projects in the pipeline. The proposed demonstration sites will position the UK as a centre of research excellence, encouraging manufacturers to base their operations near such research facilities."
He commented:
"The offshore wind sector has long been seen as a side-arm of onshore wind but today's announcement is an important step towards offshore wind becoming a mature technology its own right, fulfilling its potential as a major electricity supplier of the future."
Examples of the exciting new turbines that could be tested at the
demonstration sites include:
* Clipper's Britannia turbine that will have an installed capacity of 10MW and have a blade
diameter of about 150m
* A two-bladed turbine design from 2-B Energy
For further information, please contact RenewableUK's press office:
Louise Jennings, Press Officer, 07969 229 913 / 020 7901 3038;
email: l.jennings@renewable-uk.com
Mark Pursey, Communications Advisor, 07595 511 166;
email: mark.pursey@btpadvisers.com
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