Monster turbine could dominate town skyline
Credit: Peterlee Mail, www.peterleemail.co.uk 10 March 2010 ~~
A massive new wind turbine measuring a staggering 540ft could be on the way for the Hartlepool skyline.
A Dutch firm could be on the verge of building the innovative structure on land at Heerema in Hartlepool.
It could be the first stage in the development of a new type of wind farm which would use two rotors and fewer parts.
The firm, called 2-B Energy, has launched talks with Hartlepool Borough Council for permission for the giant structure to be placed in the town.
Heerema’s involvement at the moment is understood to be only as a possible host for the structure.
It is a demonstration turbine which could pave the way for a six megawatt offshore turbine in the future.
The development at Hartlepool would be a short-term test for the hardware the firm needs before it can implement offshore systems.
2-B Energy is hoping to bring a new design to the windfarm market for large dedicated offshore wind turbines.
It would involve significant lower investment and operations costs thanks to fewer components, material savings and an extended lifetime, say experts.
They hope the prototype will be put into use during the first half of 2011.
The news could be the next boost for a town which is rapidly being linked to growing numbers of wind turbine proposals.
The Mail was first to report earlier this year of plans to shelve the 500m Victoria Harbour project in a bid to bring jobs to the town.
The flagship Victoria Harbour scheme would have created a waterside haven for shops, housing, a school and a huge iconic footbridge.
But it has been axed and replaced by a massive new plan to make Hartlepool the hub of Britain’s wind farm industry.
Both fast-growing cable firm JDR Cables and nearby Heerema are among the firms believed to be heavily involved.
