The world’s longest offshore wind turbine blade has arrived in Northumberland to be tested at the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult site.
At 107m long the record-breaking LM Wind Power blade is longer than a standard football pitch or eight double decker buses.
Now it needs to be put through its paces at ORE Catapult’s 100m blade test facility, based at the Port of Blyth, over the coming months.
It is designed to be used on GE Renewable Energy’s Haliade-X 12 MW turbine, which is also the biggest in the world to date.
The blade will be put through a range of advanced tests to demonstrate its ability to withstand peak wind conditions and to simulate years of operation at sea.
Three other 107 metre blades will soon be shipped to a prototype site in Rotterdam, the Netherlands – and the test put GE Renewable Energy on track to commercialise the technology in two years.
Directors of LM Wind Power said the blade represents a milestone for the whole wind industry, as the first to pass 100m in length.
Hanif Mashal, LM Wind Power vice president of engineering, said: “LM Wind Power has broken the size record once again with this 107-meter blade.
“We are proud to begin its global validation program in the UK, where we have a long-term strategic partnership with ORE Catapult to test new products, including our previous record-breaking blade at 88.4 meters in length.
“Through LM Wind Power’s advanced technology development hub in Southampton, we look to continue our presence and cooperation with UK-based technology and R&D entities.”
Andrew Jamieson, chief executive of the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, said: “We’re delighted to have taken delivery of the world’s longest blade at our Blyth test facility, where we’ll put it through an extremely rigorous testing programme designed to make sure it can withstand years of operation at sea.
“This 107m blade, which is larger than the total wingspan of an A380 aircraft, represents a huge milestone for our industry and will be part of the innovative Haliade-X 12 MW next-generation offshore wind turbine.
“Testing these world-leading technologies here in the UK cements our position as a global leader in offshore wind and presents unparalleled opportunities for the UK supply chain to develop new products and services, creating jobs and generating economic benefit.”
