Jul 4, 2014 - The recently formed joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems (CPH:VWS) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (TYO:7011) has won a conditional order for four 8-MW turbines for the Velling Maersk project in Denmark.
MHI Vestas Offshore Wind explained in a statement today that it will deliver four units of the 0-series of the V164-8.0 MW turbine to Skovgaard Invest ApS and Energicenter Nord for testing onshore. More specifically, the testing will focus on the installation methods and operation and maintenance of the turbine before the start of serial deliveries offshore. Installation is to kick off in the middle of 2015.
The conditional supply agreement allows the Vestas-MHI joint venture to initiate phase two of development for the new 8-MW turbine, it said. Near the end of 2012, Danish state-owned firm Dong Energy agreed to support the testing of the V164-8.0 MW machine at the Test Centre Osterild in Denmark. In February of this year, the utility placed an order with Vestas for the same turbine for its up to 258-MW Burbo Bank extension project in UK waters.
Jens Tommerup, chief executive of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, said that the latest deal for Velling Maersk is “a crucial step in the ramp up towards serial production”. The order will allow the joint venture to verify the performance, reliability and efficiency of the machine before taking it offshore.
The Velling Maersk project is being developed in the Ringkoebing-Skjern municipality of western Denmark. Tommerup noted that this has been the primary region for testing of Vestas wind turbines for 15 years.
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