GE Confirms UK Trip for Haliade-X 12 MW Gear

GE Renewable Energy has confirmed that the Haliade-X 12 MW nacelle and the 107-metre long blade will be shipped to ORE Catapult’s testing facilities in Blyth, UK as part of an advanced technology testing program.

The program will focus on enhancing the Haliade-X platform before it enters into serial production in 2021. The Haliade-X nacelle, comparable to six London Double-Deckers piled up, along with the world’s longest blade, will be transported from GE’s production facilities in Saint-Nazaire and Cherbourg in France to Blyth in the North East of England in the months to come.

The Haliade-X 12 MW nacelle will undergo a program that will replicate real-world operational conditions to reduce the time required to validate performance and reliability, GE Renewable Energy said. In addition, the 107-meter LM Wind Power blade will undergo a full range of advanced testing procedures, including static and fatigue, to fully demonstrate the blade’s ability to withstand peak wind conditions and to simulate the blade’s readiness for years of operation at sea.

“We want to bring the most powerful offshore wind turbine to the world’s largest offshore wind market and contribute with our technology to support the UK’s Offshore Wind Sector Deal goal (30 GW by 2030), and UK Government’s ambition to work for greenhouse emission reduction to “net-zero” by 2050,” John Lavelle, President & CEO of GE’s Offshore Wind business, said.

”The extensive experience across the UK offshore wind industry provides us with the opportunity to partner with various institutions, such as ORE Catapult, that allow us to test our technology while fostering competitiveness and partner with local supply chain players that want to innovate with us and be part of the UK’s offshore wind momentum.”

GE Renewable Energy is investing close to GBP 15 million in testing and Research & Development activities on Haliade-X mostly in the UK. In addition to the nacelle and blade testing program, GE Renewable Energy and ORE Catapult are also developing the “Stay Ashore!” program, which aims to reduce the time people spend at sea by focusing on developing technology in robotics, digital, and remote operations.

ORE Catapult Chief Executive, Andrew Jamieson, said: “Our world-leading, larger scale test facilities, technical expertise and in-depth knowledge of the UK offshore wind sector have made us the ideal partner for GE in their development of the world’s largest and most advanced offshore wind turbine. Through our collaboration we will deliver increased UK research, supply chain development, reduced cost of energy and a significant step on the path to net zero.”

GE Renewable Energy plans to install a prototype Haliade-X 12 MW at Maasvlakte in the Port of Rotterdam, the Netherlands, later in the summer.