Narec - Narec Offshore Wind Demonstration Site Awarded The Crown Estate Lease Narec has today been awarded an Agreement for Lease from The Crown Estate for its proposed offshore...

Narec Offshore Wind Demonstration Site Awarded The Crown Estate Lease

By Sheena McGeorge | 04/08/10 | In Narec

Narec Offshore Wind Demonstration Site Awarded The Crown Estate Lease

Narec has today been awarded an Agreement for Lease from The Crown Estate for its proposed offshore demonstration facility, with a capacity to accommodate up to 20 large-scale pre commercial wind turbines in the North Sea off Blyth, Northumberland.

Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, commented:

“This is a hugely positive step forward for the project and strengthens our plans to have the first grid connected pre commercial turbines installed by the end of 2013.  The independent offshore facility will be unique in global R&D terms and is the final piece in the Narec jigsaw; establishing the UK’s offshore wind technology testing and demonstration hub in North East England.

“We have recently commenced consultation with stakeholders ahead of formal planning and marine permitting submissions next year.  A number of high profile manufacturers have already made solid enquiries for the limited spaces, which will become available at just the right time for the industry as it gears up for Round 3 Offshore Wind.”

Today’s announcement follows the award of an £18.5 million grant in February of this year from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills (BIS) to fund the initial site infrastructure, including establishing an electrical grid connection of up to 100MW.  Narec’s proposed scheme includes up to 4 arrays to be sited up to 14km from shore at sea depths ranging from 15m to 55m.

Rob Hastings, director of marine estate at The Crown Estate said: “Technical innovation is essential to substantially reduce offshore wind costs.  Awarding a demonstration site to Narec supports the growing UK offshore wind industry’s need to demonstrate new offshore wind turbines and other technologies in the marine environment.  We are pleased that this is another positive step to help further grow the UK’s capacity for secure renewable offshore wind energy.

”Expressions of interest for the design and build of an offshore monitoring platform are currently being assessed by Narec and short-listed companies will be invited to submit full tender proposals in the coming weeks.

Explanation on the Proposed Pod Layout Options

1. Approved 3 Array Layout

A 3 array layout comprising up to 15 ‘pods’ has been agreed  by Newcastle International Airport in principle, as an area suitable for radar blanking.

2. Alternative 4 Array Layout

Narec would like to develop a 4 array layout with up to 20 pods.  This would require a larger scale regional radar mitigation strategy.  Due to the national importance of the project and the challenging timescales for Round 3 Offshore Wind, Narec will consider both layouts for design and EIA purposes and will actively work with the Newcastle International Airport and other partners to facilitate a regional radar mitigation strategy which would also benefit onshore wind developments in the region.