THE National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) has drafted a framework agreement consisting of three build contracts for world-leading test facilities, which aim to help further grow the UK’s offshore renewable industry.

Narec recently signed a £14.8m contract with Shepherd Construction Limited to deliver the world’s largest facility for testing offshore wind turbine nacelles of up to 15MW capacity. The 3,000-metre building, in Blyth, Northumberland, will consist of a 32-metre high steel framed building constructed with 1,300 tonnes of steel and a 43-metre by 12-metre test bed foundation, which will be up to four metres deep. The test facility will be commissioned in the summer of 2013.

Tony Quinn, director of major assets and projects at Narec, said: “This is the third new building being built by Shepherd Construction for Narec in Blyth as part of a £100m investment into the site.

“The 15MW test facility will cement our position as a world leading centre for research and development and is a great demonstration of innovative offshore renewable energy technologies.”

Colin Sargeant, managing director of Shepherd Construction’s east division, commented: “We’re delighted to have signed the contract for the third of these unique structures and to be contributing further to the development at Narec. Work will start on the structure this December and is scheduled to complete in March 2013.”

Watson Burton’s construction and engineering group, rated first in the North by industry publications, advised Narec on contract matters.