Monday 3 November 2014
The renewable arm of EDF Energy has bought the rights to develop the Blyth offshore wind demonstration project in Northumberland.
It has secured both the seabed rights from the Crown Estate and associated land rights and meteorological data from the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult.
Up to 15 turbines could be installed on the site near the port of Blyth, which will also include an area to trial new technology in “realistic conditions” before commercial operations.
The site is the largest consented offshore wind testing facility in the UK and was taken through the planning process by the National Renewable Energy Centre, now the ORE Catapult.
Christian Egal, EDF Energy Renewables CEO said: “Offshore projects present their own unique challenges for developers and having the opportunity to install and operate much larger machines than we've done previously could give us vital experience to take to other projects around the UK and other EDF sites abroad.”
The company is expected to make a final investment decision on building the site next year.