Gamesa is currently building the University of Delaware's turbine at its Edensburg facility in Pennsylvania

Construction is getting under way on a two-megawatt wind turbine at the University of Delaware, which could help manufacturer Gamesa develop its first offshore wind turbines for the Americas.

The 400 foot high turbine is being built at the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, on the University’s Hugh R Sharp Campus in Lewes.

The machine will provide renewable energy, but will also be used for research purposes, including research into avian impacts and corrosion.

Information gained should also feed into the development of Gamesa’s offshore wind turbines, which could start to be deployed in 2011 or 2012, the University said.

Final steps

Nancy Targett, Dean of the College of Earth, Ocean and Environment, said: “After much planning, study, and coordination, we are now taking the final steps toward achieving research on and educational opportunities for a technology that will be part of tomorrow’s economy.”

The University is working on the project with Gamesa Technology Corporation, Inc., along with wind developer Sustainable Energy Development, Inc., which has its offices in Ontario, New York.

Gamesa North America CEO Dirk Matthys said. “Through our partnership with the University of Delaware, we are expanding our ability to harness and tap the vast potential of this renewable energy resource. This is an exciting project that marks the beginning of the next generation of clean energy development.”

Preparation work for the site at the Lewes campus began last week, while the blades for the machine are being fabricated at Gamesa’s manufacturing facility in Edensburg, Pennsylvania.

When the new 300-ton wind turbine is completed, it should provide enough power for the equivalent of 500 average homes, and is expected to provide electricity for the entire campus, with any excess supplied to the grid.

The system should be up and running in the late Spring.