MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has been chosen by Dong Energy as preferred supplier for the delivery of 8.0 MW wind turbines for phase 1 of the Walney Extension offshore wind farm.
Dong Energy has decided to split the development into two phases, each with a capacity of 330 MW. MHI Vestas has been selected as the supplier for phase 1 and will manufacture blades for the V164-8.0 MW WTGs at its UK factory on the Isle of Wight.
Samuel Leupold, executive vp for Dong Energy Wind Power, said: "The performance of the V164-8.0MW wind turbine has been a decisive factor in our decision to choose it for phase 1 of the Walney Extension development project.
"A competitive market for all components is essential to the industry in order to lower the cost of offshore wind power. I appreciate MHI Vestas Offshore Wind’s efforts in establishing production close to the site by manufacturing the blades for the Walney Extension project in its UK factory on the Isle of Wight."
Dong Energy and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind already have an agreement for the supply of the V164-8.0 MW turbine to the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm.
Walney Extension has already been awarded a ‘contract for difference’ under the EMR FID-enabling regime and in November 2014 the project was granted consent by the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change. It has a maximum capacity of 660 MW and is located approximately 19 km off the English east coast, close to the existing 367.2 MW Walney wind farm. Based on the formal permits and timetable for the Walney Extension offshore wind farm, offshore construction of the wind farm could start in 2016. However, Dong Energy has not taken a final investment decision on the project.
