Britain to get world’s tallest wind turbine

THE world’s biggest wind turbine is to be put through its paces in the UK.

The turbine will measure 853ft from base to the top of its rotor – 150ft taller than the largest currently operating – and its technology will be tested at a cutting edge research centre in Blyth, Northumberland.

The Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult will put the turbine’s power train through ‘extreme’ conditions without needing rotor blades or a tower. Its expected output of 12 megawatts will make it the most powerful in the world and generate clean power for 16,000 homes. The largest wind turbines currently in operation, installed off the coast of Aberdeen, are 626ft high and generate 9 megawatts.

Energy minister Claire Perry welcomed the agreement with US giant GenerGiantal Electric and said it helped establish the UK as a ‘global leader in renewables’. Britain currently produces 20 per cent of its energy through renewables and aims to increase capacity to 30 per cent by 2030.