A WIND turbine being engineered in the North-East is one of a handful of projects nationally to be granted funding from an energy research group.

Wind Power’s vertical axis wind turbine, the Aerogenerator – which can harness wind from all directions – has received backing from Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) in its first round of £20m funding awarded to new energy projects.

The technology behind the Aerogenerator has been developed at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Blyth, Northumberland, over the past four years.

The funding from the ETI will enable a feasibility study to be undertaken by the UK-based consortium to support the transfer of the technology offshore from its testing base in Blyth, as part of Project Nova, one of three offshore wind technologies to be researched.

A number of jobs will be created on the project.

Unlike traditional propeller turbines, Aerogenerator is V-shaped and operates around a vertical access allowing it to harness energy more efficiently.

Richard Marr, finance director at Narec, said: “The North-East of England is ideally placed to capitalise on the emerging offshore renewable market for wind, wave and tidal energy generation, and in the subsequent industry which will be built around it to operate and maintain such infrastructure.

“The opportunities for manufacturing, engineering, ports and marine operators are huge, and by attracting and developing novel technologies here, such as the Aerogenerator, Narec is quickly establishing this region as the centre for offshore renewable energy in the UK.”

The project has also been backed by North-East Finance’s Three Pillars Fund, North Star Equity Investors’ Proof of Concept Fund and regional development agency One NorthEast.

Amanda McMurray, Three Pillars Fund manager, said: “This is great news for Aerogenerator and the region. The ETI has real heavyweight backing and its support underlines the importance and potential of this technology to the UK.

“The technology is proven and it’s exciting to be working towards upscaling the project. We’re delighted that Three Pillars’ funding has helped to leverage in the additional investment required to do this, fulfilling the Three Pillars Fund’s remit to the region.”