GE Renewable Energy has confirmed to Offshore WIND that it submitted an application for building a research and development (R&D) facility at Southampton’s Centenary Quay.
The proposed facility would comprise a design office and a test facility, and serve as an innovation research and development hub for GE Renewable Energy.
“When completed it would be a state of the art building custom designed for its purpose – the rotor testing inside and a landmark building cementing Southampton’s place as the centre for composite excellence,” a spokesperson from the company said in a statement.
When asked about the planned blade manufacturing facility in Southampton, the spokesperson told Offshore WIND that GE Renewable Energy is still actively exploring the option, but that it is still premature to announce anything firm.
GE secured in-sourcing wind turbine blade design and manufacturing for its renewable energy business in April this year, with the acquisition of LM Wind Power, a Danish blade design and manufacturing company.
In 2015, the company purchased Alstom’s power and grid business and added an advanced offshore wind technology to its portfolio – the Haliade 150-6MW offshore wind turbine.