Giant 500ft wind turbines to be built in Britain within two years

[Ed Barrow]

An offshore turbine more than 500ft tall with a diameter of 475ft is already due to make an appearance in British waters within the next two years. But the 10 megawatt machine, dubbed Britannia, may only mark the start of a growing trend, according to the project's leader Bill Grainger. He sees no reason why offshore turbines should not get even larger, since greater size and power make economic sense.

Mr Grainger, who heads the Britannia design team, told The Engineer magazine: ''There isn't a technical issue that screams out size limit.

''You have to make changes as you get bigger. Blades get floppier, for example, so you have to put more carbon in, but we aren't anywhere near 100% carbon yet.''

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Standing in a solid foundation on the sea bed, the wind turbine will rise 574ft above the waves. It is expected to generate enough electricity to power 10,000 homes, and over its lifetime could displace the use of two million barrels of oil.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/earth/energy/windpower/7841408/Giant-500ft-wind-turbines-to-be-built-in-Britain-within-years.html