DONG Orders MHI Vestas’ 8MW Turbines for Walney Extension West

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has received an order from DONG Energy for the supply of V164-8.0 MW turbines for the 330MW Walney Extension West project in the UK.

The order includes a five-year full-scope service contract with an availability guarantee, ensuring optimised performance of the wind power plant with maximum power output. The V164-8.0 MW turbines, rated with a capacity of 8MW, have been optimised for the Walney Extension West project, utilising a power mode to be able to deliver a maximum output of 8.25MW.

The project represents the second order for the V164-8.0 MW, and with 40 turbines it will be the largest 8MW project to date, MHI Vestas said.

MHI Vestas’ CEO Jens Tommerup said: “This will be the second project to use the V164-8.0 MW and our order backlog together with DONG Energy now stands at 588 MW, which demonstrates the confidence the customer has in our technology and our company.

“Furthermore the use of a power mode demonstrates our ongoing focus of optimising our technology, continuing to provide greater value for our customers.”

Blades for the project will be produced at the MHI Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight, where over 200 employees commenced serial production of 80m blades for the Burbo Bank Extension project in May 2015.

“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 ramp up serial production,” Tommerup said.

The Walney Extension project is located in the Irish Sea, approximately 35km northwest from the Fleetwood and Blackpool coast. The Walney Extension West will be the first phase of the 660MW Walney Extension offshore wind farm project.