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#1 ·
North East favoured for £100m wind power research unit
The north-east of England is being considered as the site for a £100m wind power research centre.

Mitsubishi said it was looking at a number of sites in the region to carry out research into building the world's biggest turbine blades.

The government is supporting the development with grants of up to £30m.

Up to 200 skilled jobs would be created over the next few years, which Business Secretary Lord Mandelson believes could grow to 1,500.

More than £18m of government cash has also been earmarked for an existing offshore wind test site off the coast of Blyth.

Lord Mandelson and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said they had signed a deal with Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe Ltd (MPSE).

Mitsubishi Chief Executive Akio Fukui said the firm was looking at a number of locations in the North East where a factory will be built for the research to be carried out.

He said a prototype turbine would be built within three years and the first full-scale production will start after four years.

Lord Mandelson said: "Mitsubishi's investment and the creation of 200 highly skilled jobs is great news for our future plans in low carbon, high technology industries.

"I'm delighted that we are also supporting the wind test site in the North East, which further strengthens the region's position as a leader in the offshore wind farm sector."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/tyne/8536154.stm
 
#153 ·
Blyth coast set for new offshore wind farm

Courtesy of Bdaily @ https://bdaily.co.uk/environment/07-06-2016/blyth-coast-set-for-new-offshore-wind-farm/
Blyth coast set for new offshore wind farm
Jamie Hardesty 07 Jun 2016

EDF Energy Renewables is to build a new offshore wind farm off the coast of Blyth in Northumberland.

Construction work for the project has begun onshore and offshore work will start in 2017 to install five turbines of 41.5MW in capacity. The turbines, will provide enough low carbon electricity to power 33,000 homes. The project has permission for a maximum total generating capacity of almost 100 MW.

The power generated by the wind farm will be supplied to an electricity substation at Blyth which will be built by Balfour Beatty, for transmission to the National Grid. At its peak there will be around 200 people working on the project.

Wholly owned by EDF Energies Nouvelles, the Blyth Offshore wind project will be built by EDF Energy Renewables, a 50-50 UK joint venture between EDF Energies Nouvelles and EDF Energy. Working with their suppliers, it plans to complete construction of the first five turbines in 2017. The project will use the latest generation of offshore wind turbines manufactured and installed by MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and this will be the first project to use 66Kv cable technology which will be installed by VMBS who specialise in subsea power cable installation. The standard voltage for cables has been 33Kv until now but with turbines growing in power a higher specification has been developed.

The concrete gravity base foundations are the first of their kind to be built in the world and the new installation method of ‘float and sink’ will be used for the project. This is the first time this method has been used for wind turbines. The foundations will be designed and built by Royal BAM Group in the Neptune dry dock on the Tyne and will then be floated and sunk in position using tugs.

Read more @ https://bdaily.co.uk/environment/07-06-2016/blyth-coast-set-for-new-offshore-wind-farm/
 
#154 ·
Criticism as council opts to create separate wind plan

From today's Northumberland Gazette @ http://www.northumberlandgazette.co...l-opts-to-create-separate-wind-plan-1-8002057
Criticism as council opts to create separate wind plan
Ben O’Connell 8th July 2016




Two campaign groups have criticised the county council’s decision to draw up a separate planning document for wind and other renewable energy developments, claiming it may be left out on a limb.

The Northumberland & Newcastle Society, with the Campaign to Protect Rural England, has accused Northumberland County Council of a ‘perverse’ interpretation of government guidance.

As previously reported by the Gazette, the authority is looking to create a supplementary planning document (SPD) to provide further detail on the policies for renewable-energy developments in the emerging core strategy, which the Society is concerned means identifying suitable areas for windfarms or turbines. The Society’s legal and planning experts say that this should be left to neighbourhood plans.

However, a county council spokeswoman said: “There are no proposals to identify suitable areas for wind-turbine development in the proposed SPD. The purpose of the SPD is to provide further detail on the policy criteria in the core strategy. The current consultation is on a scoping document which seeks feedback on what the SPD should cover. It is proposed that work is done to assess whether there are any suitable areas for wind-turbine development in Northumberland. This area of work would be addressed through a separate development plan document and not an SPD and would be subject to public consultation.”

Read more: http://www.northumberlandgazette.co...te-separate-wind-plan-1-8002057#ixzz4DoGI3DYr
 
#155 · (Edited)
Work on bridge over Morecambe Bay 'could start within three years'

Although the headline is about the bridge, the underlying proposal is for tidal barrages and the energy produced thereby.

From in Cumbria, 12-07-16

THE man behind plans for "tidal power gateways" across Morecambe Bay and the Duddon Estuary is hugely encouraged by support for the project, and believes work could start "in two or three years".

North West Energy Squared (NWE2) unveiled its plans last year. Chairman Alan Torevell says the £8.6bn scheme would generate green energy and could create up to 10,000 jobs.

It would see a series of tidal barrages installed across the bodies of water with dual carriageway roads running across the top of them.

The exact route these would take is still being investigated but it would connect Heysham, Barrow and Millom heading north up the west coast.

Mr Torevell argues the crossings could carry high-voltage power cables from the proposed new nuclear power station at Moorside, Sellafield.

The NWE2 scheme is part of a larger proposal which, would connect south west Scotland with the north of Wales.

The company held a travelling consultation event on the project earlier this year.

Mr Torevell said that feedback had been "90 per cent positive" and, in addition, major construction concerns had expressed interest in the project.

He added: "The more public discussion we can get on it, the better. There is quite a lot going on, we are producing three planning reports."

While transportation may be the issue that the general public may on, Mr Torevell is as keen to speak about the potential to use the tidal range to generate green electricity.

He said: "It would generate about 7.3m megawatt-hours (MWh) a year, that is the same as Heysham's nuclear power station."

These bodies of water – particularly Morecambe Bay – are seen as ideal for generating tidal electricity because of the large variation in the tide levels.

The gateways could also be used to prevent inland flooding as far away as Kendal by making sure water is able to run off more easily.

The company's assumption is that the power would be sold at £70 for each MWh, resulting in revenue of about £511m each year.

This would help to pay for the bridge, the total cost of which would be £8.6bn.
Full story and images at http://www.in-cumbria.com/Work-on-b...years-3ba51d3d-ea07-473b-b185-eca4b056150a-ds

Also posted in the Cumbria Transport thread.
 
#156 ·
Northumberland College to open a £1.2m purpose-built training centre

Courtesy of the News Post Leader @ http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/new...-1-2m-purpose-built-training-centre-1-8107766
Northumberland College to open a £1.2m purpose-built training centre
Helena Davidson 6 September 2016


Northumberland College's Wind Hub and Renewable Energies Centre, Port of Blyth.

Northumberland College will soon be opening a £1.2million purpose-built training centre based at the Port of Blyth with state-of-the-art workshops and the latest teaching and learning technologies for renewables.

Students who enrol for 2016 start dates will join the first cohort of students in the brand-new hub at the port of Blyth. The courses on offer are developed in conjunction with the industry and European partners to ensure that students gain necessary experience and qualifications set for a career in the renewables and engineering sector.

Ian Palmer, Renewables lecturer for Northumberland College said: “Our courses in our Renewables Academy consist of practical training produced by the industry for the industry and are designed to equip the future workforce with knowledge for further development of wind power.”

Courses in renewables at Northumberland College include Level 3 BZEE Wind Turbine Technician Studies – a course where 90% of students go on to work in the window power industry within 12 months.

Previous students who have benefited from this include 40-year-old James Tomkins, who now works as a Wind Turbine Technician for Granite Services (GE). After 15 years in the same job, James decided to embark on a career change and enrolled on to the Level 3 BZEE Wind Turbine Technician Studies to advance his skills and knowledge. James said: “Despite having certain industry knowledge, I had little confidence in being able to secure a job in the wind industry and I felt it was time for me to change to a career that included a mix of physical fitness, problem solving and travelling. The experience and expertise of the staff was both recent and comprehensive, delivering a relevant, specific yet diverse course that suits the entry requirements for the wind industry. I was provided with support with job applications and updating my CV and now I am eventually in my dream job, excited for what the future may bring.”

Read more at: http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/new...-1-2m-purpose-built-training-centre-1-8107766

These images taken over the two days 26th and 27th August 2016 during the Blyth Tall Ships Regatta 2016:










Images hosted on https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve-ellwood/albums/72157673535701615
 
#157 ·
New team now on site for wind farm

Courtesy of the News Post Leader @ http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/new-team-now-on-site-for-wind-farm-1-8173669
New team now on site for wind farm
David Sedgwick 10 October 2016


Project director, Marcel Sunier (front) with the EDF Energy Renewables team that will develop the new Blyth offshore wind farm. Picture by Chris Henderson Photography.

A company developing a new offshore wind farm off Blyth has put in place a new project office.

EDF Energy Reweables is establishing the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator wind farm 6km off the coast, connecting to a new substation being built on the site of the former Blyth Power Station. The scheme’s 25-strong project team has now moved into the Blyth Workspace office centre to plan, manage and coordinate all the engineering and construction activities associated with the new development.

Marcel Sunier, project director, said: “The new Blyth project office provides a single central location for all the project staff involved in the new development. This is a complex project and the Workspace office provides the ideal location to ensure that close communication is maintained between the project team and the specialist contractors involved in the different aspects of the scheme. We are also delighted to be moving into the heart of the Blyth community and will look to hold some meetings in the coming months for those local people who want to know more about the project. I would also like to thank the Blyth workspace for accommodating us and helping with the move, it is very much appreciated.”

Construction work has already begun on the onshore substation and offshore work will start in 2017 with the installation of the special gravity base foundations, the offshore electric cable and the wind turbines. At its peak there will be around 200 people working on the scheme and the project will incorporate a number of new and innovative features. For the first time in an offshore wind project, the turbines will be installed on self-floating and submersible gravity-base foundations and this will be the first project to use 66kV cable technology to connect the wind farm to the onshore substation.

Wholly owned by EDF Energies Nouvelles, the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator project will be built by EDF Energy Renewables, a 50-50 UK joint venture between EDF Energies Nouvelles and EDF Energy. When complete the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator wind farm will comprise five wind turbines with a total capacity of 41.5MW, providing enough low carbon electricity to meet the average annual needs of 34,000 homes.

Read more at: http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/new-team-now-on-site-for-wind-farm-1-8173669
 
#158 ·
Final turbine erected at wind farm

Courtesy of the Hexham Courant @ http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/new...-farm-ed6fe993-bada-4de3-88d3-bbf0c4e5882b-ds
Final turbine erected at wind farm
9 November 2016

A NORTH TYNE wind farm reached a major milestone this week as it had its final turbine installed.

Vattenfall, the Hexham-based energy company, said on Wednesday that the 16th and final turbine at its Ray Wind Farm project near Kirkwhelpington was erected.

The 54.4MW wind farm is expected to be up and running in early 2017.

Paul Nickless, Vattenfall’s construction manager for the Ray Wind Farm project said: “Moving forward we’ll be commissioning each of the turbines, to enable the wind farm to be fully operational early next year.”

Construction work on the wind farm started last summer.
 
#159 ·
This from the Northern Echo,--

Wind farm up and running by end of year



CONSTRUCTION work on a wind farm between Stockton and Sedgefield is complete and will begin producing electricity soon.

Commissioning is now underway on the Lambs Hill wind farm site, near Stillington, which has proved controversial with neighbours, and it is expected to be producing clean energy by the end of the year.

The development was almost five years in the planning process, but now work is finally complete on the four turbines.

Read more http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/ne...6651.Wind_farm_up_and_running_by_end_of_year/
 
#160 ·
Wind Farm Gravity Base's - Neptune Energy Park

BAM has won the job to build and install the world’s first five full-size gravity base foundations for wind turbines.

Huge 30m diameter concrete wind turbine bases will be built at Shepherd Offshore's dock on the Tyne

The contract to design, build and install the demonstration project off the Northumberland Coast is understood to be worth around £40m.

Five 13,000t gravity base structures will anchor wind turbines to the sea bed off the coast of Blyth to test the technology for wider use in the North Sea. Shepherd Engineering is preparing to start building the 30m diameter concrete bases at the Neptune dry dock on the Tyne.

Offshore work preparing the seabed and installing the ‘float and sink’ wind turbine bases will start in 2017. The contract awarded by EDF Energy Renewables brings to a culmination more than five years of intensive design work to prove the viability of installing gravity base foundations in the offshore environment for future wind farms.

The foundation design will utilise ‘self-installing’ technology, which has been developed by two BAM companies, BAM Nuttall and BAM Infra. The design is being undertaken by BAM Infraconsult.

http://www.constructionenquirer.com...o-build-worlds-first-wind-farm-gravity-bases/
These photographs of the ongoing construction of the gravity bases taken yesterday, 12th March 2016 and Neptune Energy Park.


















Images hosted on https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve-ellwood/albums/72157677891083034
 
#162 ·
This from the News & Star,--


Cut fuel bills with wind power
Wind turbines could cut your electricity bills and make your home greener, but beware - they are only suitable for homes in certain locations.




1. The advantages of having a wind turbine are that any electricity generated by it is free (although you obviously have to pay for the turbine and installation) and your home's CO2 emissions are reduced. Your turbine should also earn you money through the Government's Feed-in Tariffs scheme - see www.energysavingtrust.org.uk. This pays you not only for the electricity you generate and use, but also for any you export to the national grid.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/proper...power-16a23aa8-bdcf-40a0-b054-080f2b59f153-ds
 
#163 ·
#166 ·
Ray Wind Farm up and running

Courtesy of the Hexham Courant @ http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/new...nning-d0531da8-3a63-4d34-83dd-a4dbadae480b-ds
Ray Wind Farm up and running
20 June 2017


An aerial view of Ray Wind Farm, near Kirkwhelpington.

A NEW 16-turbine wind farm is now fully operational at its site near Kirkwhelpington.

Ray Wind Farm, on the Ray Estate, was a £90m investment from Swedish energy company Vattenfall, and all 16 turbines are now up and running. Construction on Ray Wind Farm commenced at the end of July 2015.

The 54.4MW wind farm will produce enough fossil fuel-free power each year to meet the annual demand of over 30,000 UK households.

Gunnar Groebler, Vattenfall’s head of business area wind, said: “I would like to congratulate Vattenfall colleagues and contractors for a job safely done, on time and to budget. We have been encouraged by cross party support for determined action on climate change in the General Election. We’re convinced that onshore wind can and will help keep energy bills down for consumers and businesses, whilst driving clean economic growth. That is why we continue to develop good projects in the UK.”

Vattenfall is putting a £250,000 community benefit fund in place annually for the rest of its lifespan for community organisations within a 10km radius of the wind farm.

http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/new...nning-d0531da8-3a63-4d34-83dd-a4dbadae480b-ds
 
#167 ·
Wind Farm Gravity Base's - Neptune Energy Park - Part 1

The Wind farm Gravity Base's are now complete and ready for towing out to sea. Last week they were supposed to have been towed down river to the Port of Tyne's Riverside Quay but poor weather conditions prevented the operation.

The tow out is now due to take place later in the month when it is hoped that high tide conditions will enable the transit to take place. Dutch tugs which have been chartered for the work are currently berthed in Blyth.

This is a screen shot from https://www.marinetraffic.com showing the AIS signals being emitted from the base's:



These photographs taken 26th June 2017, dry dock filled with water and ready for tow out, but postponed.














Images hosted on https://www.flickr.com/photos/steve-ellwood/
 
#169 ·
‘Ground-breaking’ Blyth offshore wind farm project fast-becoming a reality

From today's Bdaily @ https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2017/...ore-wind-farm-project-fast-becoming-a-reality
‘Ground-breaking’ Blyth offshore wind farm project fast-becoming a reality
Jamie Hardesty 11 July 2017



The first turbine foundation of an eagerly-anticipated wind farm development off the coast of Blyth is making its journey up the River Tyne, a notable milestone for the project.

EDF Energy Renewables is currently building the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm after taking over responsibility for the scheme from Narec (now ORE Catapult) in October 2014. The project will see five wind turbines with a total generating capacity of 41.5MW installed around 6.5km off the coast of Blyth. Once operational, they will generate enough low carbon electricity to power around 34,000 homes.*

Concrete gravity based foundations (GBFs) form part of the project and are being installed using a new “float and submerge” method – the first time this method has been used for offshore wind turbines. Designed and built by Royal BAM Group in the Neptune dry dock on the Tyne, the GBFs are being floated into position at sea and submerged onto the seabed to provide the support structures that act as the foundations for the installation of the wind turbines. Each GBF is made up of more than 1,800m3 of concrete and weighs over 15,000 tonnes when fully installed on the seabed. The structures have a total height of around 60 metres from the base to the access platform.

The GBFs have been constructed at the Neptune dry dock over the past 12 months by BAM Nuttall and these structures will be floated down the river to the Port of Tyne, where extra ballast will be added ahead of their ‘tow-out’ to the offshore wind farm site.

Once the GBFs are put into position over the summer, specialist contractor VBMS will start laying the inter array cables that will connect the individual wind turbines. Installation of five MHI Vestas V164 turbines will then commence once the cable is securely buried on the sea bed. The turbines will have a power rating of 8.3MW – the largest to be used on an offshore wind farm. It is anticipated that the turbines will start generating power by the end of the year.

Read more @ https://bdaily.co.uk/articles/2017/...ore-wind-farm-project-fast-becoming-a-reality
 
#170 ·
Wind Farm Gravity Base's

^^^^
The Wind Farm Gravity Base's are being moved down from the Neptune Yard to Riverside Quay, South Shields for eventual tow out to the new offshore wind farm off Blyth.

These snaps taken yesterday of two of the bases lying alongside the Riverside Quay, taken from Western Quay, North Shields, 13th July 2017.








Images hosted on http://GeordiePhotographs.fototime.com/Neptune Ship Yard
 
#171 ·
Good progress being made on turbines scheme

Courtesy of the News Post Leader @ http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/good-progress-being-made-on-turbines-scheme-1-8655679
Good progress being made on turbines scheme
18 July 2017


The first of the gravity based foundations is transported along the River Tyne ahead of its tow-out to the offshore windfarm site. Picture by Chris Henderson Photography.

A pioneering windfarm development off the coast of Blyth has reached a notable milestone. Two of the foundations for the five turbines have been transported along the River Tyne on route to their final destination.

EDF Energy Renewables is currently building the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Windfarm after taking over responsibility for the scheme from Narec (now ORE Catapult) in October 2014. The turbines, which will be installed around 6.5km off the coast of Blyth, will have a total generating capacity of 41.5MW. Once operational, they will generate enough low carbon electricity to power about 34,000 homes.

Concrete gravity based foundations (GBFs) form part of the project. They have been constructed at the Neptune dry dock over the past 12 months by BAM Nuttall. Two of the structures were recently transported along the river to the Port of Tyne, where extra ballast will be added ahead of their tow-out to the offshore windfarm site. The other three GBFs will make the same journey at a later date. Once they are put into position, specialist contractor VBMS will start laying the inter array cables that will connect the individual wind turbines.

It is anticipated that they will start generating power by the end of the year. EDF Energy Renewables CEO, Matthieu Hue, said: “This ground-breaking scheme will benefit the North East and it will also help the UK to meet its future low carbon electricity needs.”

Read more at: http://www.newspostleader.co.uk/news/good-progress-being-made-on-turbines-scheme-1-8655679
 
#172 ·
This from the Westmorland Gazette,--

Bid to keep Kirkby Moor wind turbines working till 2027



A BID to keep the turbines turning at Kirkby Moor Wind Farm for eight extra years is being made.

The collection of 12 three-bladed 400kW turbines, sited on heather moorland at Kirkby Moor and Lowick High Commons, was one of the UK's first and began generating electricity back in August 1993.

The wind farm 2km south-east of Grizebeck is due to reach the end of its 25-year permitted life in August 2018. But London-based Zephyr Investments is seeking consent from South Lakeland District Council to keep the turbines in situ until March 2027, followed by another year to decommission the site.

Read more http://www.thewestmorlandgazette.co..._Kirkby_Moor_wind_turbines_working_till_2027/
 
#173 ·
Barry S. Barge and En Avant 20 outbound from Blyth

Barry S. Barge and En Avant 20 outbound from the Port of Blyth to Rotterdam, photographed 3rd September 2017 from Seaton Sluice.

Barry S. Barge had been employed on the Blyth Offshore Windfarm project, carrying sand used in the ballast for the gravity base foundations for wind turbines.

Barry S. Barge:


Callsign:SIMP
MMSI:244130508

En Avant 20:


Ex Name CLAUS

Imo 9408645
Mmsi 244790685
Callsign PCUZ
Flag Netherlands
Port Of Registry DORDRECHT

Length Overall 32.0
Breadth Registered 11.0
Draught 4.25
Gross Tonnage 448
Net Tonnage 134
Deadweight 254

Manager : MULLER ZWAAR TRANSPORT B.V. Netherlands
Owner : EBRA BEHEER BV Netherlands

Year Built 2007
Country Place Of Build KIEL








Images hosted on http://GeordiePhotographs.fototime.... S. Barge and En Avant 20 outbound from Blyth
 
#174 ·
Five 15,000 tonne wind turbine foundations successfully installed off the Northumberland coast

Courtesy of the Chronicle Live, copyright NCJMedia Ltd @ http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/five-15000-tonne-wind-turbine-13610110
Five 15,000 tonne wind turbine foundations successfully installed off the Northumberland coast
By Jonathon Manning 12 September 2017


The five Gravity Based Foundations for the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Project are in place and the next phase is underway (Image: EDF Energy Renewables)

Five major wind turbine foundations, each weighing 15,000 tonnes, have been successfully installed at an offshore wind farm off the coast of Blyth.

The five gravity based foundations (GBFs) have now been installed at the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm, using a new “float and submerge” process – the first time the technique has been used for offshore wind turbines. The GBFs were designed and built by Royal BAM Group in the Neptune dry dock on the Tyne.

EDF Energy Renewables is currently delivering the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Wind Farm, after taking over the scheme from ORE Catapult in October 2014. The turbines are based 6.5km off the coast of Blyth and will generate a total of 41.5MW of electricity, which is enough to power around 34,000 homes.

Work is now underway to lay around 11km of cables offshore to connect the individual turbines and bring the electricity onshore. A further 1.5km of cable will then be used onshore to link the turbines to a new substation built at the site of the former Blyth power station.

EDF Energy Renewables director of operations, Don Mackay, said: “This is an important milestone in a ground-breaking project. The Blyth offshore wind demonstrator project incorporates several new and innovative features as part of its role in testing and proving new and emerging offshore installation methods and technologies. In addition, the wind farm will benefit the local community and help the country to meet its low-carbon energy needs.” The demonstration scheme will set a new technology benchmark for other similar offshore wind developments around the country.”

Read more @ http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/business/business-news/five-15000-tonne-wind-turbine-13610110
 
#175 ·
This from the News & Star,--

Trial run planned as parts for new wind farm are transported into Cumbria




Trial run planned as parts for new wind farm are transported into Cumbria

Hallburn Farm near Longtown, where six 415ft-high wind turbines will be built.

Components for six new wind turbines to be sited in north Cumbria will be moved into place in the coming weeks.

Hallburn Wind Farm
, near Longtown, is expected to generate electricity equivalent to the needs of 10,100 households.

The six 2.2MW turbines are set to be delivered, installed, commissioned and tested before the end of the year, while REG Power Management, which is overseeing the project, says that all work will be completed by February.

Read more http://www.newsandstar.co.uk/news/T...mbria-e7d35703-95d5-4c1a-9eed-4e45ab03fd72-ds
 
#176 ·
First Turbine Installed at Blyth

Courtesy of http://www.offshorewind.biz/2017/09...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
First Turbine Installed at Blyth



Jan de Nul’s jack-up vessel Vole au Vent has installed the first of five 8.3MW MHI Vestas turbines at the 41.5MW Blyth Offshore Demonstrator project off the coast of Northumberland, UK, EDF Energy Renewables reports.

The installation of the first turbine was completed on Monday, 18 September. The gravity base foundations (GBFs) were installed last week using the new “float and submerge” process for the first time.

EDF’s CEO Matthieu Hue said: “This is great news to have the first of five turbines installed and brings us another step closer to completing this exciting and innovative project.” Wholly owned by EDF Energies Nouvelles, the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator project is being built by EDF Energy Renewables, a 50-50 UK joint venture between EDF Energies Nouvelles and EDF Energy.The project has consent for up to 15 turbines when fully constructed, with a maximum total generating capacity of 99.9MW.

Cable laying works being carried out by VBMS are now underway. Around 11 kilometres of buried 66Kv offshore cables will connect the individual turbines and bring the electricity onshore, where a further 1.5 kilometre of onshore cable will link directly to a new substation built on part of the site of the former Blyth power station.

Flemming Ougaard, MHI Vestas Chief Operations Officer, said: “We are delighted to have installed the first of 5 turbines at the Blyth Demonstrator Project safely and on time. In addition to providing clean energy for the UK, this collaboration with EDF Energy Renewables serves exceptionally important purposes for MHI Vestas, including the installation and operation of 66kV equipment – switchgear, transformer, and array cables. This positions our company well as the industry moves increasingly toward the 66kV standard.”

http://www.offshorewind.biz/2017/09...al&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer
 
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