MHI Vestas Offshore Wind Energy has received a 258 MW wind turbines order in the UK

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has received a firm and unconditional order for 32 V164-8.0 MW wind turbines for the offshore Burbo Bank Extension project in Liverpool Bay in the UK, ref. company announcements No. 7/2014 of 18 February 2014 and No. 32/2014 of 21 August 2014.

The 258 MW order is placed by DONG Energy, and the contract covers supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, as well as a five year full-scope service contract.

The project will be delivered by MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and will not enter into the order backlog of Vestas Wind Systems A/S.

As Vestas owns 50 per cent of the joint venture company MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, Vestas will disclose firm and unconditional orders received by MHI Vestas Offshore Wind with a value above DKK 1bn, ref. Vestas’ Communication Strategy.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has received the first commercial order for the V164-8.0 MW from DONG Energy, the world’s leading developer of offshore wind power. MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will deliver 32 machines for the 258 MW Burbo Bank Extension project off the coast of Liverpool Bay in the UK.

Blades for the project will be produced at the recently announced MHI Vestas Offshore Wind manufacturing facility on the Isle of Wight, off the southern coast of the UK- the first facility with the capacity to serial produce blades for future UK offshore projects.

Milestone project

CEO Jens Tommerup says the order marks a historic milestone for MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and the wind industry in the UK.

“We are extremely pleased to receive the first commercial order for the V164-8.0 MW, our flagship wind turbine and a machine which will contribute to driving down the cost of offshore wind energy,” said Jens Tommerup and continues: “DONG Energy were closely involved in the development and testing of the turbine and today’s announcement represents a significant vote of confidence from the world’s leading developer of offshore wind in the V164-8.0 MW and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind.”

“MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will become the first manufacturer with the capacity to serial produce blades for future offshore wind projects in the UK. Serial production of 80m blades for the Burbo Bank Extension project will commence on the Isle of Wight from as early as Q2 2015.”

Samuel Leupold, Executive Vice President in DONG Energy, said “We are very excited to being able to construct the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm. The introduction of the MHI Vestas Offshore Wind V164-8.0 MW turbine will be an important measure in our joint efforts to reduce the cost of electricity of offshore wind. Bigger turbines, producing electricity more efficiently is an important element in realising our ambitious targets.”

Burbo Bank project

The 258 MW Burbo Bank Extension project lies off the coast of Liverpool Bay, in the UK. When installed the power plant will produce enough energy to meet the electricity requirements for approximately 180,000 houses.

The order includes supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as a five year full scope service contract. Installation is expected to begin in 2016, and commissioning is expected to be completed in 2017. Pre-assembly of the turbines will take place in Belfast, Northern Ireland.

Manufacturing in the UK

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will utilise the production hall at Vestas’ blades technology centre on the Isle of Wight from 1 January 2015 and will invest in upgrading the facility for serial production. The facility was opened in 2011 and was specifically designed to develop large blades for the latest wind turbines. The facility consists of two halls 170m long and 50m wide, one for testing and verification, and one for blade production, which will be leased by MHI Vestas Offshore Wind.

“The Isle of Wight is a world class R&D centre for developing and testing blades. The blades for the V164-8.0 MW prototype were designed, manufactured and tested at the Isle of Wight facility so we have developed the unique skills and processes necessary to manufacture blades which makes it a good location to ramp up to serial production,” said Jens Tommerup.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems A/S 50% and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) 50%. The company’s sole focus is to design, manufacture, install and service wind turbines for the offshore wind industry. The company aims to drive down the cost of energy from offshore wind parks by driving capital and operating savings, and increasing output of wind turbines by bringing the best technology to the market. The company is founded on collaboration, and creating powerful partnerships with key stakeholders will be the cornerstone of its business model.

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