GE to test 12-MW wind turbine at UK's ORE Catapult

General Electric Co's (NYSE:GE) next-generation 12-MW offshore wind turbine will be tested at the facilities of the UK's Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, the parties said today.

GE Renewable Energy and ORE Catapult have signed a five-year research and development (R&D) agreement that will see GE's recently unveiled Haliade-X 12-MW offshore wind turbine and existing Haliade 150-6MW go through test and demonstration programmes at ORE Catapult's 15-MW power train test facility in Blyth, Northumberland.

John Lavelle, head of GE's offshore wind business, said the agreement will allow the group to prove Haliade-X in a faster way by putting it under controlled and extreme conditions. "By using ORE Catapult’s facilities and expertise, we will be in a better position to adapt our technology in a shortened time, reduce unplanned maintenance, increase availability and power output, while introducing new features to meet customers’ demands," Lavelle also said.

GE announced in March it is developing the world's most powerful offshore wind turbine, with plans to ship the first units in 2021.

UK energy and clean growth minister Claire Perry said the partnership highlights the country's "world-class" research and testing facilities. "Through our Industrial Strategy, we are making the UK a global leader in renewables, including offshore wind, with more support available than any other country in the world," she added.

The pact also envisages a GBP-6-million (USD 8.4m/EUR 6.8m) combined investment with Innovate UK and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the installation at the Catapult's National Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth of "the world's largest and most powerful" grid emulation system, which will be supplied by GE Power.

(GBP 1 = USD 1.394/EUR 1.142)

Choose your newsletter by Renewables Now. Join for free!