The self-installing Elican wind turbine prototype is undergoing final tests in the Spanish port of Arinaga in Gran Canaria prior to being towed to the installation site which is scheduled for the end of May, Esteyco, the developer of the project, said.
The wind turbine’s rotor and the blades were mounted on the telescopic tower in April. Earlier in May, an auxiliary flotation system, designed to optimise the transport, installation and maintenance of the turbine, was successfully coupled to the unit after being towed from the port of Las Palmas.
”It is expected that the installation of the wind turbine at its final location will take place at the end of this month of May, subject to weather conditions and the development of the last pending tests,” Esteyco said.
The Elican project under which the self-installing turbine is being developed is funded by the European Commission and includes the construction and installation of a full-scale operative offshore wind turbine prototype in the Plocan area.
The project is carried out by a consortium led by Esteyco which also includes Siemens Gamesa, ALE Heavylift, DEWI GmbH, and Plocan.
The Elisa technology allows the turbine tower and the wind turbine to be fully assembled in port, eliminating the need for large vessels or cranes during the installation.