A Chinese offshore wind giant has sealed a deal which will see it test its turbine in the North East.
Ming Yang Smart Energy – the largest private wind turbine manufacturer in China – has signed a contract with the Ƶ’s Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult which will see the Blyth facility provide testing and validation of the main bearing for its 18.5 MW offshore wind turbine.
The test piece is due to arrive at ORE Catapult’s National Renewable Energy Centre in Northumberland at some point in the next few in the coming months and will be subjected to simulated real-world conditions that replicate what an operational 18.5 MW turbine would experience out at sea.
The deal marks the first testing agreement that ORE Catapult has signed with Ming Yang Smart Energy. Steve Foxley, ORE Catapult chief executive, said it builds on years of experience of testing major new pieces of technology that have gone on to play big roles in the Ƶ’s expansion of offshore wind.
He said: “Offshore wind will play a central role in the Ƶ’s journey to delivering Clean Power 2030 and to achieving Net Zero in the years beyond.
“Today’s announcement highlights one of the many vital roles ORE Catapult plays in supporting that transition - providing independent validation of quality and reliability, helping developers and the wider sector make informed choices.”
Marc Sala, VP engineering and technology Europe for Ming Yang Smart Energy, said: “For Ming Yang, this partnership with ORE Catapult is a major milestone in our strategic push into the Ƶ market and marks a decisive breakthrough for our local operations.
“By partnering with ORE Catapult’s world-leading test facilities, we will bring our 18.5 MW offshore turbine to the Ƶ—and wider international markets—quickly and with proven reliability, further strengthening our global leadership in high-end wind technology.”
The agreement comes a week after the opening of the new £6.3m Technology Development Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, which is boosting opportunities across he region for innovation in the offshore renewables industry.
The Technology Development Centre’s new kit on offer to companies includes a 1MW drivetrain test rig to evaluate rotating machine components, and a mini electrical grid system where clients can test and certify the electrical compliance of their devices for any grid in the world.
The centre forms part of the Energy Central Campus, a partnership between ORE Catapult, Port of Blyth and Northumberland County Council which aims to support the clean energy sector by providing education, training, and pathways to employment in the local community.
