Clipper Windpower’s Prototype 7.5MW Turbine to be Purchased by the UK’s Crown Estate

April 28, 2008 – Vol.13 No.6

Clipper Windpower’s Prototype 7.5MW Turbine to be Purchased by the UK’s Crown Estate.

Also known as the Britannia project, the turbine is the world's largest under development for offshore deployment. This investment will allow the Crown Estate to gain firsthand knowledge of the challenges facing the development of wind turbines specialized for deep water marine deployment as the process of engaging industry to develop the next phase of offshore wind farms begins.

The 7.5MW MBE prototype turbine will be assembled and tested at Clipper’s Centre of Excellence for Offshore Wind in Blyth in the North East of England, strategically located to serve the offshore turbine development zones and their related load centres. Clipper is working with One NorthEast's Blyth-based New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC), which will provide the project with engineering and test facilities for blades, generators and drivetrains. Funding provided by One NorthEast also will support the development of Clipper's turbine supply chain and related manufacturing facilities.

The Crown Estate is an estate valued at more than GBP 7 billion ($14 billion), including substantial blocks of urban property, of agricultural land in England, Scotland and Wales,The marine interests including almost the entire UK territorial seabed out to 12 nautical miles and around 55 per cent of the UK’s coastal foreshore. In addition, The Crown Estate has the rights to lease seabed for the generation of renewable energy on the continental shelf within the Renewable Energy Zone which extends out to approximately 200 nautical miles.

Every year, the Crown Estate pays its entire revenue surplus to the Treasury for the benefit of all UK taxpayers. In 2006/07 this amounted to over GBP 200 million ($399 million).

Speaking in London, Rob Hastings, Director of the Marine Estates at The Crown Estate, said: “It is widely recognized that offshore wind energy will provide the majority of the required contribution needed to ensure that the UK meets its demanding renewable energy target to supply 15 per cent of our consumed energy from renewable sources by 2020.

“We believe that our support to the Britannia project through the acquisition of this purposely designed new generation offshore turbine will drive forward the development of turbine technology designed for the challenges of the offshore environment. This is an important step in the future of offshore wind and a great opportunity to help establish a new industrial base of activity to advance the UK’s leadership in renewable energy.”

Clipper Windpower is engaged in wind energy technology, turbine manufacturing, and wind project development. The company designs advanced wind turbines, manufactures its 2.5-MW Liberty wind turbine and actively develops wind power generating projects in the Americas and Europe. (4/18/08)

Links:

Clipper Windpower
http://www.clipperwind.com

Crown Estate
http://www.thecrownestate.co.uk

New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC)
http://www.narec.co.uk

One NorthEast
http://onenortheast.co.uk

Clipper Windpower to Develop 7.5 Megawatt Offshore Wind Turbine.

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Disclaimer, Forward-Looking or Safe Harbor Statement on original press release: No