UK: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind receives 41.5 MW order for Blyth wind farm

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has received an order from EDF Energy Renewables for five V164-8.0 MW turbines in the UK. The 41.5 MW Blyth Offshore Demonstrator Project will test several innovative technologies including a 66 kV electrical infrastructure, and gravity base foundations.

The V164-8.0 MW turbines – rated with a capacity of 8 MW – have been optimised for the project, utilising a power mode to be able to deliver a maximum output of 8.3 MW, further increasing the value for the customer.

“We are delighted to have received an order from EDF Energy Renewables for the Blyth Offshore Project,” said Jens Tommerup, CEO of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind. “Blyth will be the first offshore project which MHI Vestas and EDF Energy Renewables will install together, and we look forward to partnering on an innovative project where the latest technologies will be tested.”

The order includes a 15-year full scope service contract with an availability guarantee, ensuring optimised performance of the wind power plant with maximum power output.

Innovative technology

The Blyth Offshore Project will be the first to feature 66 kV electrical infrastructure. The V164-8.0 MW turbines feature new transformers and switchgears to enable connection to the 66 kV grid. Use of the 66 kV system allows approximately double the amount of wind turbines to be connected on one equivalent array cable string compared to the existing 33 kV system, resulting in a reduction of the electrical infrastructure per megawatt installed and thus, a significant cost saving for producing offshore wind power.

Furthermore, the project will utilise gravity base foundations – the first time this type of foundation will be used for an offshore wind power plant. The hybrid foundation combines the widely used steel reinforced concrete foundation, with the well-known steel monopile, allowing the foundation to be installed in deeper waters (45 m) while eliminating noise from pile hammering during installation.

Local content

Blades for the Blyth Offshore wind farm will be produced at the MHI Vestas blade factory on the Isle of Wight, where over 280 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 power. 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 produce blades on a large scale,” said Jens Tommerup.

About the Blyth Offshore Project

• Owned by EDF Energies Nouvelles group and operated by EDF Energy Renewables, a 50-50 UK joint venture between EDF Energies Nouvelles and EDF Energy
• Five V164-8.0 MW turbines, with a power output of 8.3 MW
• Located 5,7 km off the coast of Blyth, north of Newcastle, UK
• 15-year full scope service contract with availability guarantee
• Installation expected in 2017
• First offshore wind power project to utilise 66kV electrical infrastructure and hybrid gravity-monopile foundations
• 45 m water depth
• Pre-assembly for the project will take place in Esbjerg, Denmark
• Commissioning and maintenance harbour will be Blyth, UK