It’s an interesting and exciting time in Scotland for the wind business: The world’s largest and most powerful installed wind turbine will be ready for testing in Fife, Scotland before the end of October 2013.

The 196 metre tall turbine will be handed over to Korean firm Samsung Heavy Industries (SHI) by the principal contractor, Graham Construction in the next few weeks. The prototype will be erected just a few yards offshore from Fife Energy Pasrk at Methil, Fife, where SHI has established its European wind energy HQ- a sure indication of the impotance of Scotland to the international wind industry. The mast is already in position, and only the nacelle and blades await lifting and connection. This will be overseen by the score of SHI staff based at the Fife Renewables Innovation Centre.

World’s Largest Wind Turbine About to be Tested in Scotland

The turbine is  7MW and capable of powering 4,800 homes.  Once the turbine has been put through its paces at a demonstration programme  SHI has said it will put the machine into manufacture. this is likely to be a newly built factory nearby, hopefully providing  employment for 500 people. The final certification of the turbine is expected to be completed in the first half of 2014, although the test programme is likely to continue running, even for up to five years.

Deputy project manager Youngjae Lee of SHI said

 “The weather is a critical factor for this complex installation operation, and we are delighted to have had the right conditions to proceed with the tower installation. There has been a great deal of activity on-site in preparation for this, and it has been good to see the structure really starting to take shape.”

Samsung_Heavy_Industries

As yet, and unsurprisingly given that the tests have not commenced, there are no advance orders.

Maggie McGinlay, director of energy and clean technologies at Scottish Enterprise, said :

“This along with planned investment from other key players such as Areva and Gamesa is helping to create a potential manufacturing hub on the east coast [of Scotland], which would lead to significant opportunities for our supply chain companies. Today marks a key milestone in this work, and we look forward to continuing to work with SHI to support its long-term ambitions for Scotland.”

Ronnie Quinn, the Crown Estate’s energy and infrastructure lead in Scotland, said:

“Their [SHI’s] long-term investment is a hugely important contribution to building the supply chain in Scotland and in driving growth of a world-class offshore wind industry.

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The picture above is of Councillor David Graham, David Garry of Scottish Enterprise, Hakku Kim and Jaewoo Roo of Samsung Heavy Industries, and Jonny Kerr of Graham Construction. Picture taken by David Wardle.

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