The UK arm of Talisman Energy has revealed that the first power from the Beatrice Wind Farm demonstrator project has been produced. The UK offshore wind farm is a joint venture between Talisman and Scottish and Southern Energy.
Talisman said that the 85 meter high 5MW turbine, the largest in offshore deepwater, will be used to generate electricity for the nearby Beatrice platform, which is 25km off the east coast of Scotland. A second turbine will be installed nearby in summer 2007 to complete the project.
Talisman CEO Dr Jim Buckee said: We look forward to installing the second turbine this summer in order that the demonstrator project can become fully operational, and in doing so help prolong the life of the Beatrice oil field. It is an inspiring example of the interface that is possible between the oil and gas business and the renewable energy industry.
The Beatrice initiative is a central part of the DOWNViND (Distant Offshore Wind Farms No Visual Impact in Deepwater) project. The venture, which includes 18 different organizations from six European countries, is designed to ensure that Europe is well positioned to take a global lead in developing deepwater offshore wind farms.
Talisman said that the company would only examine the potential for a large scale offshore wind farm when the feasibility of such a development has been assessed by the DOWNViND project over time.
Funding for the Beatrice project was provided by a variety of organizations, including E6 million from the European Community, GBP3 million from the Scottish Executive and GBP3 million from the UK Department for Trade and Industry. The remainder of the funding came from Talisman and Scottish and Southern Energy, as well as contributions from participants.