The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has secured nearly £86 million in capital funding from UK Research and Innovation to enhance its turbine blade and drive train testing assets in Blyth, Northumberland. The investment aims to upgrade facilities to accommodate larger, more efficient wind turbines, accelerating technology deployment and reducing risks in the renewable energy sector.
The new and upgraded facilities, tailored for testing blades up to 150 meters and drive trains up to 23MW, will pave the way for a new generation of larger wind turbines with enhanced reliability. Additionally, provisions will be made for further expansion to 180 meters and 28MW to meet future industry demands, with construction expected to be completed by 2028.
According to estimates by ORE Catapult, the investment will create 30 new jobs in Blyth and support five PhD positions annually, contributing to the growth of the UK wind industry. Furthermore, it is projected to prevent approximately 2.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions by accelerating the development of new turbine models through advanced testing and validation processes.
Andrew Griffith, the Science, Innovation, and Research Minister, highlighted the importance of pioneering innovation in the UK's transition to net zero emissions. He stated, “Our £86m funding will create highly skilled and highly paid new jobs that grow the north-east and wider UK economies while pulling investment in by marking our country as a leader on technologies of the future and unashamedly open for business.”
ORE Catapult's Chief Executive, Andrew Jamieson, emphasized the significance of the investment in maintaining the UK's leadership in offshore wind technology development. He stated, “This investment in truly world-leading capability will keep the UK at the forefront of offshore wind technology development. It will enable ORE Catapult to continue to deliver the most advanced research and development infrastructure and expertise to the offshore wind industry, capturing the jobs and economic growth from the transition to a net zero economy.”
