Ian Swales MP has taken the opportunity to take a closer look at the work going on behind the scenes of Redcar’s new offshore wind farm as the installation of turbines approaches the halfway mark.
EDF Energy Renewables hosted a special visit by the Redcar MP to its Port of Hartlepool supply base and specialist installation vessel, the locally-owned MPI Adventure, ahead of first power being supplied from the site in the coming weeks.
Thirteen of the wind farm’s 27 wind turbine generators have now been installed. Work is continuing on the electrical testing and commissioning of the initial group of turbines, which will start producing electricity individually as soon as they are completed.
In addition, ahead of the wind farm becoming fully operational, EDF Energy Renewables has also set up a special fund to support local community projects and activities in the area which is being managed by Tees Valley Foundation.
Ian commented: ‘’It is great to see the work that goes into constructing new green technology. The Government are committed to sustainable, green energy sources, and wind turbines harness this incredible power. This is an important step along the low carbon economy journey we all must take and I am delighted that it is happening right here in Redcar.’’
When complete, the 2.3MW turbines to be installed off Redcar will be capable of producing up to 62MW of electricity – enough low carbon electricity to power up to 40,000 households.
Christian Egal, chief executive of EDF Energy Renewables, said: “EDF Energy Renewables is committed to developing new low carbon electricity generating capacity to help maintain energy supply, tackle climate change, and maintain affordable energy prices.
“As our first offshore scheme, we are delighted that the new wind farm continues to make progress and will soon be producing low carbon electricity that will make an important contribution to helping to meet the country’s renewable energy generation targets.”
EDF Energy Renewables already has 21 operational onshore wind farms contributing 300MW of low carbon electricity in the UK. Including the Teesside scheme, a further 224MW of additional capacity is currently under construction.
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Press release, March 27, 2013; Image: edfenergy