Power is being produced from the first of two giant turbines to be installed near the Beatrice field and which are each rated to produce up to 5 MW of power from wind. They are the largest turbines currently installed offshore in the world, measuring 85 m (278 ft) high. 

The project which has seen international collaboration between Talisman and utility company Scottish and Southern Energy plus a host of European institutions is designed to be a test bed for major advances in large turbine installations offshore. Energy produced from the project will be used to provide power for the nearby Beatrice oil field.  

"We are making history with the first electricity being generated by this offshore deepwater turbine," declared Talisman's president and chief executive Dr. Jim Buckee.

The project, dubbed Downvind - an acronym for distant offshore wind farm with no visual impact in deep water - is located 25 km (15.6 m) offshore and the second similarly sized turbine is due to be installed this summer. 

Originally, Talisman was aiming to have the project online by last year but a series of delays including bad weather which hampered turbine installation led to a deferral of project work.  

Buckee added: "We look forward to installing the second turbine this summer in order that the Demonstrator Project can become fully operational, and in doing so help prolong the life of the Beatrice oil field."

If the design and operation of the two giant turbines is successful, Downvind collaborators aim to incorporate project experience by building more giant offshore wind installations.