News

Clipper Windpower To Develop Offshore Wind Turbine Technology in United Kingdom

October 11, 2007 by Jeff Shepard

Clipper Windpower Plc announced that it has established a Center of Excellence for Offshore Wind in Blyth, United Kingdom, to develop the world’s largest offshore wind turbine at 7.5 MW. The "Britannia Project" has attracted support from the UK’s One NorthEast Regional Development Agency. The development of the 7.5 MW wind turbine will build upon the advanced architecture and technology of Clipper’s Liberty 2.5 MW turbine. The Britannia Project is said to address the growing demand for highly reliable and efficient offshore wind energy. Clipper will enlist the services and test facilities of the Blyth-based New and Renewable Energy Center (NaREC) in this project.

"We are extremely pleased to have the U.K.’s One NorthEast working with us in the Britannia Project," said James G.P. Dehlsen, Chairman and CEO of Clipper. "We established the Project based on the offshore wind application of our technology and in concert with the U.K. government’s policy leadership targeted to provide upwards of 20% of the nation’s electricity from renewable sources which will rely in great part on offshore wind development. This forward-thinking policy should provide strong and affirmative action on both climate change and the enhancement of domestic energy security."

U.K. Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Rt. Hon. John Hutton MP, noted that the UK’s commitment to wind power is steadfast. "Clipper Windpower’s decision to develop a new generation of offshore wind turbines in the North East of England is further evidence that the U.K. is fast becoming a magnet for renewable energy investment. A recent report from Ernst & Young showed that the UK has moved up from fifth to second in the world for attractiveness in new renewable investment. Behind this is the Government’s determination to bring down planning barriers and target support at marine and emerging renewables. By 2015 we expect to see a threefold increase in green energy feeding into the grid."

In developing this project there has been close collaboration between Clipper, One NorthEast and UK Trade and Investment (UKTI) – the UK Government’s business development organization, which brings together the work of the BERR, and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

One NorthEast’s Blyth-based New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) will provide the Britannia Project with a support package for engineering and test laboratory, including its world-class wind turbine blade testing facilities. Engineering for the project will be shared between Clipper’s Advanced Technology Group, based in Carpinteria, California, and Clipper operations in Blyth. Funding provided by One NorthEast also will support the development of Clipper’s turbine supply chain and related manufacturing facilities.