NaREC invited to play a key role at China Wind Power Summit
Stephen Wilson, director of wind and marine at North East based, New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) will set off on a trip to Shanghai later this month as a guest of organisers of the prestigious China Wind Power Summit.
At the event, Stephen has been invited to deliver a paper to business and political leaders in the country on the future exploitation of offshore wind power.
Stephen adds, “China, like many other countries is realising that offshore wind can make a significant contribution to the renewable energy mix. I am honoured to be invited to speak at the event, and proud that this confirms the growing profile of NaREC as a global independent centre of expertise leading the future of offshore wind power generation.”
“Installed wind capacity worldwide is growing by 20 gigawatts (GW) year on year, and China alone expects to have installed wind power generating capacity of 10(GW) by the end of this year, to then exceed 20 GW in two years. NaREC is working with industry to help make rapid step changes in turbine technology; increasing capacity and improving reliability, to ensure that supply meets with such a demand to cope with the offshore environment.“
While in China, Stephen will act as an ambassador for the region and meet with a number of businesses in the sector looking to Europe for expertise and new market opportunities. The North East’s history in energy and experience of working in offshore oil and gas provides massive opportunities for businesses in the growing international renewables market.
Already supporting wind turbine manufacturers around the world in the testing and development of their next generation wind turbine blades, NaREC is currently awaiting a decision on funding for plans to develop the world’s largest independent wind energy R&D Campus at Blyth, Northumberland.
The proposals have been designed to prepare the industry for major growth in very large capacity turbines – giving manufacturers the expertise and resource to develop and test new systems, and the supply chain the opportunity to adapt to bigger, more challenging technology.
Notes to editors
The New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) was established in 2002 as a Centre for Excellence for new and renewable energy technologies. Based in Blyth, Northumberland, NaREC is working to enable the move towards a low carbon economy on a National and International scale by assisting the development and market growth of new energy technologies. NaREC is one of the five centres of excellence set up by One NorthEast.
NaREC encompasses a range of research, testing and development facilities across the spectrum of energy industries. A specialised team of technical and engineering consultants with a wide range of practical experience work to support the development and testing facilities at NaREC, helping to bridge the gap between innovation and realisation.
NaREC’s unique world-class facilities offer testing and development of large wind turbine blades, marine renewables, offshore and subsea equipment, micro-renewables and High Voltage electrical equipment. NaREC also has facilities and consultancy expertise for the development and integration of large and small-scale renewables into the energy mix including assistance with small scale embedded generation and power systems analysis. NaREC also runs the UK’s only Independent Photovoltaic R&D Laboratory, combining small scale manufacturing and solar cell process development.
For further information please contact:
Steve Abbott, Marketing and Communications Manager
Tel: 01670 357621
Email: steve.abbott@narec.co.uk
