The Offshore Wind Industry Council and RenewableUK are highlighting a five-year agreement by GE Renewable Energy and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult to research and develop the next generation of offshore wind technology at ORE Catapult’s test facilities in Blyth, Northumberland. 

GE’s new 12MW offshore wind turbine will undergo advanced testing to enhance its performance and reliability - currently the most powerful offshore wind turbine operating commercially anywhere in the world is 8.8MW. The agreement also includes a multi-million-pound project to install the world’s largest and most powerful grid emulation system at the centre in Blyth, to assess the interaction between large wind turbines and the electricity distribution network.

The Co-chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, Benj Sykes, UK country manager for Ørsted, said: 
“This is exactly the sort of collaboration that will ensure the UK continues to build on its global leadership in offshore wind energy. This five-year research and development partnership will not only advance new technologies but also empower the UK supply chain including smaller SMEs to innovate and grow.

“Cutting edge innovation is a cornerstone of the ambitious sector deal which the industry aims to agree with Government. It is truly driving our vision for 2030 of a globally leading supply chain, and generating a third of the country’s electricity from offshore wind”.

RenewableUK’s Executive Director Emma Pinchbeck said: 
“Today’s agreement is another vote of confidence in the UK as the home of ground-breaking offshore wind technology and in the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult as a global test centre”.

“Offshore wind is a key part of the Government’s Industrial Strategy. The UK is the world leader for offshore wind and has a vibrant export market; we must keep innovating to stay in front as the global renewables sector comes of age."