Clipper To Develop 7.5 MW Britannia Offshore Wind Turbine

The "Britannia Project" has attracted support from the UK's One NorthEast Regional Development Agency. 

The development of the 7.5 MW wind turbine will build upon Clipper's Liberty 2.5-MW turbine.

The Britannia Project addresses the growing demand for highly reliable and efficient offshore wind energy.  Clipper will enlist the services and test facilities of the Blyth-based New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in this project.

"We are extremely pleased to have the U.K.'s One NorthEast working with us in the Britannia Project," said James G.P. Dehlsen, Chairman and CEO of Clipper.  "We established the Project based on the offshore wind application of our technology and in concert with the U.K. government's policy leadership targeted to provide upwards of 20% of the nation's electricity from renewable sources which will rely in great part on offshore wind development."

U.K. Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR), the Rt. Hon. John Hutton MP, noted, "Clipper Windpower's decision to develop a new generation of offshore wind turbines in the North East of England is further evidence that the U.K. is fast becoming a magnet for renewable energy investment."

"A recent report from Ernst & Young showed that the UK has moved up from fifth to second in the world for attractiveness in new renewable investment.  Behind this is the Government's determination to bring down planning barriers and target support at marine and emerging renewables.  By 2015 we expect to see a threefold increase in green energy feeding into the grid," Hutton continued.

Funding provided by One NorthEast also will support the development of Clipper's turbine supply chain and related manufacturing facilities.