Denmark: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind receives 406 MW order

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has received an order from Vattenfall to supply turbines and services for the 406 MW Horns Rev 3 wind power plant off the west coast of Denmark. The order for 49 V164-8.0 MW turbines includes a five year full scope service contract to optimise power production. The V164-8.0 MW turbines – rated with a capacity of 8 MW – have been optimised for the Horns Rev 3 project, utilising a power mode to be able to deliver a maximum output of 8.3 MW, further increasing the value for the customer.

CEO Jens Tommerup said, “MHI Vestas is shaping the future of the offshore wind market with game-changing technologies that spur innovation to drive down the cost of offshore wind power for the whole industry. Larger and more powerful wind turbines are a key driver of cost reduction. The use of an 8.3 MW power mode with the large 164 m rotor diameter provides an optimised rotor to generator ratio, demonstrating our ongoing focus on improving our technology, continuing to maximise value for our customers.”

“The Horns Rev 3 project will set a new milestone for affordable offshore wind power and we look forward to working with Vattenfall on delivering that goal. We have a strong track record with Vattenfall, underlined by the 300 MW Thanet project and the 160 MW Horns Rev 1 project among others. We are proud to partner with Vattenfall again to deliver our record breaking V164-8.0 MW turbines to the Horns Rev 3 project.”

Gunnar Groebler, Head of Vattenfall Wind said, “Horns Rev 3 is a real milestone for us, it clearly shows that competition is a suitable way to reduce costs for offshore wind significantly. Horns Rev 3 is the cheapest recent offshore project and the experience we have gained from our other wind projects had a very positive impact. This project underlines our ambition to lead the industry in a highly competitive market environment.”

The 406 MW Horns Rev 3 project will generate enough clean electricity to power over 400,000 Danish houses, contributing to Denmark’s and the EU’s goals to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 2020.

About the Horns Rev 3 Project:

• Awarded output: 406 MW
• Turbines: 49 x V164-8.0 MW
• Expected installation year: 2018
• Location: Danish North Sea
• Distance from coast: 34 km
• Service contract: 5 year full scope service contract with an energy based guarantee
• Expected MWh per year/houses powered: 1.78 million MWh/year, enough to power 400,000 Danish houses.
• Pre-assembly harbour: Esbjerg
• Commissioning harbour: Hvide Sande