REpower Systems AG has signed a supply contract for the Beatrice wind farm demonstrator project with Talisman Energy (UK) Limited and Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) for the design and construction of two of its 5M-type wind energy turbines. With a nominal output of five megawatts, the REpower 5M is currently the biggest wind energy turbine in the world and has been designed with deepwater wind farm operations in mind. REpower will likely assemble both turbines next summer.

The turbines will be installed later that year in a water depth of approximately 40 metres next to the Talisman-operated Beatrice oilfield 25 kilometres off the east coast of Scotland in the Moray Firth. The demonstrator is an integral part of the EU-promoted EUR 30 million DOWNVInD” (Distant Offshore Windfarms with No Visual Impact in Deepwater) project, Europe’s largest renewable energy research and technology development programme. Talisman and SSE are coordinating the project, which also involves a number of other research organisations and companies from throughout Europe. REpower is the exclusive turbine supplier. Both REpower 5M turbines are being built specifically for offshore use for the first time.