The world’s longest offshore wind turbine blade has arrived in Blyth ahead of testing at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult’s facilities.
The 107 metre LM Wind Power blade will be put through its paces at ORE Catapult’s world-leading 100m blade-test facility over the coming months and is designed to operate from GE Renewable Energy’s Haliade-X 12 MW turbine, which is also the biggest to date.
The production of the LM 107.0 P blade represents a milestone for the entire wind industry, as the first wind turbine blade to surpass 100 metres in length.
Port of Blyth Chief Executive, Martin Lawlor, said: “Seeing this next generation wind turbine blade arriving in Blyth for testing at the ORE Catapult’s facilities is testament to the progress the Port and all its partners, including the ORE Catapult, have made in creating a world class environment for the offshore wind sector to take advantage of. It’s particularly fitting that this arrival comes just weeks after the decommissioning of the first offshore wind turbines in UK waters was completed off Blyth and just ahead of the launch of our very own wind turbine training facility.”
Andrew Jamieson, Chief Executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, said: “We’re delighted to have taken delivery of the world’s longest blade at our Blyth test facility, where we’ll put it through an extremely rigorous testing programme designed to make sure it can withstand years of operation at sea. Testing these world-leading technologies here in the UK cements our position as a global leader in offshore wind and presents unparalleled opportunities for the UK supply chain to develop new products and services, creating jobs and generating economic benefit.”
Hanif Mashal, LM Wind Power Vice President of Engineering, said: “LM Wind Power has broken the size record once again with this 107-metre blade. We are proud to begin its global validation program in the UK, where we have a long-term strategic partnership with ORE Catapult to test new products, including our previous record-breaking blade at 88.4 metres in length.”
The Haliade-X 12 MW turbine will contribute to making offshore wind more affordable and help developers drive the global growth of offshore wind, generating substantial economic and environmental benefits.
