An offshore test in European waters is still part of Mitsubishi’s plans for its 7MW Sea Angel turbine, currently under development. But a decision about exactly where to conduct the test has yet to be reached, “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç Offshore understands. A challenging Japanese offshore test is due to begin next year.
As previously reported, an onshore test is confirmed for Hunterston in east Scotland. Installation is scheduled for this summer. Preparations are underway for the manufacture of 81.6m blades for the first Sea Angel prototypes. The turbine will boast a rotor diameter of 167m.
Last year, Mitsubishi was named as one of the companies lined up to use the European Offshore Wind Development Centre (EOWDC) in Aberdeen Bay. It is as yet unclear when exactly the EOWDC will be operational. An application to proceed with onshore construction for the 11-plot test site was submitted to local authorities in January.
Meanwhile, Mitsubishi remains committed to installing two full-scale Sea Angel prototypes on floating platforms of its own design off Japan’s Fukushima coast during summer 2014. The floating tests will be fully funded by the Japanese government.
European offshore wind sales are very much part of Mitsubishi’s ambitions for the Sea Angel, making an offshore test in European waters necessary.
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