Port of Rotterdam published a statement on a partnership between Pondera Development and SIF Holding Nederland, ‘GE Renewable Energy and Future Wind’, concerning the installation of the first prototype of the Haliade-X 12 MW wind turbine at Rotterdam-Maasvlakte in the summer of 2019. The collaboration includes a 5-year-test period and a 15-year period of full operation and maintenance.
Mainly, the prototype of the offshore wind turbine is for the time being installed on the coast in order to be better tested. At the beginning, GE will collect data to obtain the Type Certificate, a major step to commercialize the product in 2021.
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Moreover, the gondola of the Haliade-X 12 MW prototype will be assembled in Saint-Nazaire, the three 107 meter long LM rotor blades in Cherbourg and the masts in Seville. All parts are shipped to Rotterdam. There they are assembled and installed.
The prototype in Rotterdam is part of a 320 million euros investment in the Haliade-X project, that GE Renewable Energy announced in March 2018 to become a more competitive source of clean, sustainable energy.
Additionally, Allard Castelein, CEO of the Port Authority commented on the fact that GE opted for Rotterdam port as a test location:
This confirms the reputation of the port as an attractive partner for the offshore wind industry and as a driving force behind the energy transition.
Concluding, John Lavelle, VP & CEO of Offshore Wind at GE Renewable Energy addressed that the port of Rotterdam has proven to be a valuable force by providing all the necessary conditions to test the Haliade-X under the most drastic weather conditions.