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Super turbines tested in Northumberland

A new generation of wind-powered “super turbines” are to be tested off the Northumberland coast. Californian power company Clipper Windpower is to develop the machines at a renewable energy facility at Blyth.

Business and Enterprise Secretary John Hutton made the announcement on a visit to the company’s US headquarters. Regional development agency One NorthEast is investing £5m in “project Britannia”, to create offshore turbines each capable of powering 5,500 homes. The company will use the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Blyth as its base.

Ian Williams, One NorthEast director of business and industry, said: “Clipper viewed the North East as its global location of choice for this project which we hope will lead to long term manufacturing and job creation in the region.”

James Dehlsen, chairman of Clipper Windpower, said: “We are working toward the launch of an offshore wind turbine, which will offset the need to import and burn one million barrels of oil.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .