Vestas Will Supply Denmark's First Subsidy-Free Wind Farm

Vestas has received a milestone order from Hirtshals Havnefond for a 17 MW project in Denmark that will be the country’s first utility-scale subsidy free wind park. Located directly on the waterfront in the Port of Hirtshals in the northwestern part of Denmark, Vestas has developed a solution customised to the site’s medium to high wind conditions that includes four V136-4.2 MW turbines with 82-meter towers to optimise annual energy production, underlining wind energy’s position as one of the cheapest sources of energy globally.

“Denmark’s auction system remains a strong instrument to ensure a successful energy transition and for Denmark to remain a global leader within sustainability. Complementing the auction system, this order shows that onshore wind have now reached a point where projects also are possible on market terms if we can put up the newest technology”, says Morten Dyrholm, Vestas Global Senior Vice President for Marketing, Communications and Public Affairs.

“We are honored to partner with Hirtshals Havnefond for this project. The site’s excellent wind conditions, in combination with the introduction of the V136-4.2 MW turbine to the Danish market, have been some of the key ingredients for the realisation of a profitable wind park under merchant market conditions” says Christer Baden Hansen, Vestas Vice President, Sales for North and Western Europe.

The project has strong ties to the community, as three of the turbines will be owned by the local foundation Hirtshals Havnefond and the fourth turbine will be sold in shares to local citizens and institutions. When fully commissioned, the wind park will provide energy for around 16.000 households.

“We are very satisfied with our partnership with Vestas and we look forward to seeing this unique project develop further and deliver high and efficient energy production. By placing some of the markets most effective wind turbines on one of the most favourable wind sites available, we can operate the wind farm on a market basis”, says Jens Peter Lunden, Chairman for Hirtshals Havnefond.