Triton Knoll reveals MHI Vestas as preferred turbine supplier

Triton Knoll has today unveiled MHI Vestas Offshore Wind as its preferred turbine supplier and its plans to use 90 of its latest, ground-breaking 9.5 MW turbines to generate power for the east coast offshore wind farm.

Triton Knoll will be one of the first in the world to install and operate MHI Vestas’ very latest V164-9.5 MW turbines described by the supplier as the most powerful and efficient on the market.

The news comes just one week after Triton Knoll was awarded a Contract for Difference in the latest Government auction, which marked the innogy and Statkraft joint venture as one of the UK’s best ‘low cost’ renewable energy projects.

While still at preferred supplier stage, the wind farm project will now work with MHI Vestas to maximise and build on the manufacturer’s already strong UK footprint, which includes an industrialisation plan which will safeguard or create 800 UK jobs and investments of over £200m.

Triton Knoll Project Director James Cotter said:  “We achieved a successful result at the CfD auction, thanks to a business case that was designed through collaboration with the supply chain and which puts cost reduction, low cost generation and UK content at the forefront of our project.

“MHI Vestas is absolutely central to our business plan, which aims to deliver at least 50% UK content over the lifetime of the project, while creating significant value for the UK and energy consumers from the delivery of our wind farm. As one of the world’s leading wind turbine companies, we are delighted to have MHI Vestas on board and look forward to working with them to further maximise innovation and value in all aspects of the project.”

An integral part of MHI Vestas UK infrastructure is a state-of-the-art blade factory on the Isle of Wight which opened in 2011. The large-blade competence centre produces the turbine’s 80 metre blades for projects in the UK and throughout Northern Europe. The continued investment in the UK by the company is a significant factor in the selection of MHI Vestas as a preferred supplier to the project.

Triton Knoll is a circa 860MW ⁽⁴⁾ East coast offshore wind farm project, and expects to trigger a capital expenditure investment of around £2billion into much needed UK energy infrastructure. This will enable the delivery of some of the lowest cost energy generation for UK consumers.

The project is now progressing towards a financial investment decision likely in 2018 with full onshore construction starting shortly after, and offshore construction starting in 2020. First energy generation could be as early as mid-2021, with the project expecting to begin commissioning in 2021.

Regionally, preparations for Triton Knoll’s start of onshore work are well underway, and a full programme of onshore survey works is being completed, while some key early works are being prepared to pave the way for construction later.