Clipper windpower to build world’s biggest turbines on Tyne

Sep 17 2009 by Adam Jupp, The Journal

THE world’s biggest wind turbine blades will be built in the North East after a £4.4m Government grant was given to a green energy firm planning to locate in the region.

The move to award the cash to American giant Clipper Windpower was last night hailed as a key step in the rebirth of former shipyards on the banks of the River Tyne.

It is understood Clipper plan to manufacture the turbines in a purpose-built factory currently under construction in Walker, in Newcastle’s East End, which will lead to around 1,000 jobs being created.

Climate change minister Ed Miliband made the announcement at the TUC Congress in Liverpool as part of plans to increase the amount of Britain’s energy generated from green sources.

He revealed three firms, including Clipper, will share grants totaling £6.5m to build turbines for the dozens of sites off the British coast earmarked for wind energy generation.

Clipper will use the cash to develop a prototype 70-metre blade for the firm’s Britannia project, which will see the largest wind turbines in the world created.

North East minister Nick Brown, MP for Newcastle East and Wallsend, where Clipper’s proposed factory is located, said: “This is pioneering work supported by Government and set to be carried out in the North East of England.

“This is welcome support for a new industry in our region, potentially creating more than 1,000 jobs.”

The two other firms being awarded cash are Artemis Intelligent Power, which will be given £1m to transfer their existing technology from automotive to wind energy and Siemens Wind Power, which will receive £1.1m to develop the next generation power convertors for their larger offshore turbine.

The Clipper blades will weigh more than 30 tonnes and will form part of the turbines that will stand 175m tall and be sited off the British coast. Announcing the grants yesterday, Mr Miliband said: “With strong government backing, the UK is consolidating its lead in offshore wind energy.

“We already have more offshore wind energy than any other country, we have the biggest wind farm in the world about to start construction, and now we’ll see the biggest turbine blades in the world made here in Britain.

“Our coastline means the offshore wind industry has the potential to employ tens of thousands of workers by 2020, manufacturing, transporting, installing and operating new turbines. It will take an active Government to get us there and the funds I’m announcing today are part of the £120m investment we are making this year and next in the wind industry to make that happen.”