Denmark: MHI Vestas Offshore Wind to ramp up blade production at Nakskov

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is ramping up blade manufacturing capacity in Nakskov, Denmark to supplement our lead blade factory on the Isle of Wight, UK. The Nakskov factory will utilise a full production line like that on the Isle of Wight with approximately 240 production workers and 20 employees in support functions. The decision to ramp up production is due to an accelerated order pipeline for V164-8.0 MW projects.

Going forward the MHI Vestas Offshore Wind Blades Unit will consist of approximately 500 employees (currently 250 on the Isle of Wight, with Nakskov to increase to 250 throughout 2016). With a single leadership team responsible for the whole blades unit.

Chief Manufacturing Officer Torben Hvid Larsen said: “We have decided to ramp up blade production at Nakskov in order to meet the increased demand for V164-8.0 MW projects,” and continues. “The factory in Nakskov will supplement the lead factory on the Isle of Wight, which is our blade centre of excellence and continues to drive blade production efficiency processes. Serial production has been underway on the Isle of Wight since May 2015 in preparation for Burbo Bank Extension.”

MHI Vestas has a stable pipeline of V164-8.0 MW orders through until 2019. Following Burbo Bank Extension we have a unconditional orders for 40 x V164-8.0 MW for Walney Extension and 5 x V164-8.0 MW for Blyth, as well as conditional orders for Borkum Riffgrund 2 and Horns Reef 3, and are selected as preferred supplier for Norther, all utilising V164-8.0 MW turbines.

Asset light manufacturing footprint

The factory in Nakskov was previously used by Vestas to produce blades for both offshore and onshore projects. As part of our ongoing strategy to establish asset light manufacturing facilities, MHI Vestas is utilising an already existing facility to swiftly and efficiently ramp up production.

Currently there are approximately 110 full time production employees at Nakskov and 10 white collar employees. MHI Vestas now has open positions for an additional 130 colleagues in blade production and 10 colleagues in support functions.

Previously the factory in Nakskov has been utilised for limited blade production. Full operation is expected in June 2016.

About the MHI Vestas Offshore Wind Blades Unit

The blades unit of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will consists of over 500 dedicated and passionate employees who are committed to delivering high-technology, high-quality, hand-crafted blades built to withstand the harshest conditions. With a highly utilised production facility located on the Isle of Wight in the UK, with an additional production facility in Nakskov Denmark, the blades unit draws on the significant composite knowledge found on the Isle of Wight and within the Solent advanced manufacturing cluster. MHI Vestas Offshore Wind’s 80m blade is the first major offshore wind turbine component to be designed, tested and serially manufactured in the UK. Both the Isle of Wight and Nakskov factories provide significant economic benefits for their local communities and regions.