Gov. Bob McDonnell has announced a collaborative project to establish a facility for the testing and certification of large offshore and land-based wind turbines in Virginia.
The project, called Poseidon Atlantic, would be the first such test facility in the country, according to a statement from the governor's office. The initial phase of the project will be developed on Virginia's Eastern Shore in Northampton County.
The Poseidon Atlantic project is a private-sector initiative developed by Real NewEnergy, Fugro and Ecofys, with the support of the commonwealth of Virginia, the Virginia Port Authority and the Netherlands government.
The proposed facility is intended for full-service testing and certification of existing and next-generation land-based and offshore wind turbine generators. The Norfolk office of Dutch-based Fugro will provide engineering services associated with site location and development of the proposed test center.
"The Poseidon Atlantic project is transformational for the future development of offshore wind technology, as there is currently a worldwide lack of facilities that are suitable for full-service certification testing of offshore wind turbine technology," McDonnell says.
"The Poseidon Atlantic project has huge potential for Virginia," adds Lieutenant Gov. Bill Bolling. "If this industry takes root and matures, we could create thousands of new jobs in manufacturing, construction, logistics, operations and maintenance activities."
