EDF Energy Renewables has started construction work on Blyth, an offshore wind farm designed to demonstrate and test new wind turbine and foundation technologies.
The firm says it will install five turbines in 2017 with a total capacity of 41.5 MW. The turbines will be located 6 km off the coast of northeast England and will supply energy to the national grid via a new substation at Blyth, Northumberland.
The project will use the latest generation of offshore wind turbines manufactured and installed by MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and will be the first project to use 66 kV cable technology. It will also use the world’s first concrete gravity base foundations, which will be installed using a new "float and sink" installation method.
RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, Hugh McNeal, praised the project’s progress. "The Blyth project highlights how Britain is leading the way in offshore wind innovation. Our industry is at the forefront of developing renewable technology that will be exported around the world," said McNeal.
