The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult has completed the acquisition from Samsung Heavy Industries of the 7MW Levenmouth demonstration offshore wind turbine off the East Fife coast.
ORE Catapult said the turbine “becomes the world’s most advanced, open access, offshore wind turbine dedicated to research, and offers opportunities for considerable training and development of skills vital for the future of the offshore wind industry”.
The organisation is also working with Fife Council and local educational bodies on the development of a skills and training programmes in renewable technologies to support the development of Levenmouth as a global centre of excellence in offshore wind.
SgurrEnergy has been appointed as operations and maintenance contractors for the turbine, providing operations support, knowledge and expertise for the day to day running of the turbine.
The ORE Catapult said it will now undertake a planned period of operation and familiarisation of the turbine alongside Samsung.
ORE Catapult chief executive Andrew Jamieson said: “Having a dedicated offshore wind turbine, accessible from shore, will prove a massive advantage for Scotland and indeed the UK’s offshore wind industry – a real world first.
“It enables us to extend and enhance both existing and future research programmes, provide an unrivalled testing environment for new technologies and facilitate the development of skills and experience critical to the future development of the industry, and its continuing efforts to reduce costs.
“I am very keen to see our ambitions in Levenmouth act as a magnet for innovation and skills development, attracting further investment to the area and helping to put Fife at the heart of Scotland’s renewable energy industry.”
Image: the 7MW demo project (ORE Catapult)
