Queen shops for wind super-turbine at Blyth

Oct 2 2008 by Dan Warburton, The Journal

THE QUEEN is buying one of the world’s biggest wind turbines, being built by engineers in the North East. They are currently constructing the structure at the Clipper Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind in Blyth, Northumberland.

It is hoped the 100-metre turbine will supply 7.5 megawatts of power to the national grid when it is installed. Just 20 of the huge machines could produce enough power for the whole of Newcastle.

An exact location for the structure has not yet been established, but the North Sea off the North East coast has previously been earmarked for offshore developments.

It is hoped the Queen’s involvement will speed the development of specialist deep water turbines and encourage energy firms to invest in renewable technology.

Rob Hastings is director of Marine Estates at The Crown Estate, which owns the seabed around Britain and manages the Queen’s assets on behalf of the nation. He said the turbine would help meet Government quotas for the production of power from renewable energy.

Mr Hastings said: “It is widely recognised that offshore wind energy will provide the majority of the required contribution needed to ensure that the UK meets its demanding renewable energy target to supply 15% of our consumed energy from renewable sources by 2020.

“We believe that our support for the Britannia project, through the acquisition of this purposely designed new generation offshore turbine project, will drive forward the development of turbine technology designed for the challenges of the offshore environment.

“This is an important step in the future of offshore wind and a great opportunity to help establish a new industrial base of activity to advance the UK’s leadership in renewable energy.” Last June, the Crown Estate confirmed 11 sites around the country had been earmarked for a total of 3,000 offshore wind farms.

And the British Wind Energy Association said large turbines could provide significant power to meet Government guidelines in supplying 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

A spokesman said: “They are developing the world’s biggest wind turbine intended to demonstrate the viability of future offshore developments.

“Only 20 of these wind turbines could power the whole of Newcastle, so it is important for us to start looking at these developments.

“I don’t think people will be able to see them from the coast, although I’m not sure what sort of distance they will be out to sea.

“We have a target of 15% of all energy being produced from renewable sources by 2020. This new turbine could show there is a significant amount of power from offshore developments.”

Blyth Valley MP Ronnie Campbell said he fully supported moves to introduce renewable sources of energy, as long as it did not harm other business sectors in the region. He said: “I can sympathise with people in Northumberland where a huge wind farm is placed on top of a hill – it spoils the scenery. But out at sea, there is no scenery to spoil.

“I’m all in favour of these new developments. It’s an excellent idea and we have to start looking at clean renewable energy – there’s no other option.”

Northumberland Tourism chief executive Giles Ingram said his organisation had no reason to criticise offshore turbines.

He said: “I suppose wind farms are suited to certain locations and we’ve never had reason to consider that, so that could be a positive.”

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