The prototype of an innovative self-installing offshore wind turbine with a telescopic tower has been installed in the Canary Islands.

A 5MW Siemens Gamesa turbine is mounted on the Elisa self-installing wind turbine, the telescopic tower of which will now be raised into position for testing to begin.

The self-installing turbine/foundation concept was designed and developed under the Elican project by a consortium led by Esteyco Energia, which received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 programme.

The foundation was manufactured in a drydock at the Port of Arinaga.

The Elisa technology allows the turbine tower and the wind turbine to be fully assembled in port, eliminating the need for large vessels or cranes during installation.

This could cut installation costs by 30-40% compared to existing solutions.

Once towed into position, the tower assembly is ballasted to the sea-bed, and the three-section tower is raised to its final position.

Heavy-lifting company ALE played a key role in the project.

The turbine is expected to start producing power in Q4 2018.