UK: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind receives 330 MW order from DONG Energy

The project will be the second order for the V164-8.0 MW and with 40 turbines it will be the largest 8 MW project to-date. The turbines will utilise a power mode to increase performance.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has received a 330 MW order from DONG Energy for 40 V164-8.0 MW wind turbines for the Walney Extension West project in the UK. The order includes a five-year full-scope service contract with an availability guarantee, ensuring optimised performance of the wind power plant with maximum power output.

The V164-8.0 MW turbines – rated with a capacity of 8 MW – have been optimised for the Walney Extension West project, utilising a power mode to be able to deliver a maximum output of 8.25 MW, further increasing the value for the customer.

“We’re proud that once again DONG Energy has chosen to partner with MHI Vestas for the supply of V164-8.0 MW turbines for the Walney Extension West project,” said CEO Jens Tommerup, and continues: “This will be the second project to use the V164-8.0 MW and our order backlog together with DONG Energy now stands at 588 MW, which demonstrates the confidence the customer has in our technology and our company.”
“Furthermore the use of a power mode demonstrates our ongoing focus of optimising our technology, continuing to provide greater value for our customers,” underlines Jens Tommerup.

Blades for the project will be produced at the MHI Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight, where over 200 employees commenced serial production of 80 m blades for the Burbo Bank Extension project in May 2015.

“We are proud to produce high technology components for our turbines in the UK and be part of the continuous expansion of the local supply chain for offshore wind. The prototype blades for the V164-8.0 MW were designed, manufactured and tested at the Isle of Wight facility and we have developed the unique skills and processes necessary to ramp up serial production,” said Jens Tommerup.

The Walney Extension project is located in the Irish Sea, approximately 35km northwest from the Fleetwood and Blackpool coast. This will be the first phase of the 660MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm project which on completion will be capable of supplying over 460,000 homes with clean energy.