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Narec Welcomes Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to commence site works for global offshore renewable technology development hub

By Sheena McGeorge | 05/08/10 | In Narec

Narec Welcomes Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills to commence site works for global offshore renewable technology development hub

Today, Dr Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills visited the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Blyth, Northumberland to mark the start of ground works for Project Nautilus - a new 3MW marine drive train technology development and testing facility.

Project Nautilus is the first of a number of site developments planned over the next two years, which will also see the construction of a new 100m blade test facility and 12MW drive train facility for the offshore wind industry.  Investment in onshore infrastructure alone is expected to exceed £50 million and together with a proposed offshore wind turbine demonstration site, will establish Narec globally as the independent technology development hub for offshore wind and marine renewables.

Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, said:

“Narec is the key enabler for the UK’s renewable industry.  We are providing world-leading independent facilities and expertise to help industry to overcome the technical and market challenges.  This will enable the UK to fulfil its ambitions and optimise the economic benefits from renewables.

“Our new facilities have been designed to stimulate technology inspired sector growth of an indigenous industrial base in the UK; to ensure that we are at the forefront of the global technology race for renewable energy products and services.”

The visit by the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills coincided with the announcement by The Crown Estate that it had awarded Narec 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.

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 will require further private sector investment estimated at £200 million and includes up to 4 arrays to be sited up to 14km from shore at sea depths ranging from 15m to 55m.

Photos descriptor:

Project Nautilus 3MW drive train test rig – Indicative visual of exterior for illustration purposes only

Shipbuilding in the Blyth Docks in the 20^th Century

Project Nautilus 3MW drive train test rig – Indicative visual of interior showing gearbox test for illustration purposes only

Project Nautilus 3MW drive train test rig - indicative visual of interior showing external gearbox test for illustration purposes only