U.K. Testing Facility Will Offer Advanced Wind Turbine Development-

UK-based Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) has disclosed its plans to develop the world’s largest indoor infrastructure capable of deploying and testing next-generation offshore wind turbines. The test-rig will allow turbines to be examined onshore and indoors before being taken offshore, which will help to lower electricity costs and decrease technical risks associated with mass production. In addition to providing lower overhead costs, the initiative will generate new prototypes for more efficient and cost-effective equipment; and, in turn, will increase deployment of new turbines and offshore wind farms. The Regional Development Agency (RDA), a public agency that oversees economic development in England, One North East is investing around £10m, and initiated the project as part of its long-term strategy that has successively positioned North East England as a primary location for offshore wind. Ian Williams, Director of Business and Industry at One North East, states, “One North East has been investing and building world class capability in the offshore industry since 2002. This long-term strategy has not only created this international facility for the UK, but has put the region in pole position to take advantage of significant new job creation opportunities.” The test-rig will be built at the Narec site in Blyth, Northumberland and positioned beside Narec’s swiftly expanding testing facilities for turbines and marine energy systems.