The Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult has started work on a £600,000 (€665,000) upgrade of its test centre in Blyth in the northeast of the UK.
The work started with the removal of a 70-tonne dry dock gate by contractors KGAL and AMCO and consultancy Fairhurst using a 750-tonne crane, ORE Catapult said.
It added that the refurbishment will help ORE Catapult “maximise the use of its saltwater testing environment to support businesses and bring new products to market”.
Future technologies to be tested at the site will include robotic underwater inspection vehicles and new anti-corrosive materials for wind turbine foundations, ORE Catapult said.
ORE Catapult project manager David Hailes said: “This extensive refurbishment will mean we can continue to be at the forefront of innovation for years to come.”
Image: ORE Catapult
Gate opens on Blyth makeover
ORE Catapult starts £600,000 upgrade at renewables test site in UK
By EBS