Scottish Enterprise and SSE are investors in a project to develop the Port of Hunterston, for the testing of the latest full scale offshore turbine technology.
Scottish Enterprise is developing one of the three test berths and is seeking initial expressions of interest from manufacturers interested in leasing this from July 2015.
Hunterston has a key role to play in developing the offshore wind supply chain in Scotland and the UK. Its wind resource replicates offshore conditions, and this coupled with its existing grid connection, makes it an ideal site for the testing facility.
The site’s location, less than an hour from Glasgow airport, gives manufacturers 24 hour access to make modifications and repairs – critical for early series prototype turbines.
In addition, SSE is working with its supply chain partners Siemens and Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe to test their latest turbine technology at two of the berths.
Scottish Enterprise is hoping to attract a turbine manufacturer to the third berth who will commit to locating significant research and development or manufacturing facilities in Scotland.
Hunterston has also been identified in the National Renewables Infrastructure Plan as being a site capable of accommodating manufacturing and operations and maintenance facilities. The site owner, Clydeport, has identified 40 acres of land which is immediately available for renewables related development.
Adrian Gillespie, director of Energy and Low Carbon Technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said: “Scotland is increasingly becoming recognised as a centre of expertise in offshore wind research, development and manufacturing. Thanks to our vast resources, skills, world-class research and an expanding supply chain, we have already seen a number of key players in the industry announce investment in Scotland.
“The difficulty of finding suitable locations for this type of testing facility mean there are currently no sites of this kind in the UK, and a very limited number across Europe – all of which have limited access.
“This means that Hunterston has a crucial role to play in supporting the development of the offshore wind industry at a European level.”
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Press release, March 20, 2013; Image: scottish-enterprise