DONG Energy choses MHI Vestas Offshore Wind as preferred supplier of V164-8.0MW wind turbine for phase 1 Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm project in UK

Fredericia, Denmark, 20-2-2015 — /EuropaWire/ — MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has been chosen by DONG Energy as preferred supplier for the proposed delivery of the V164-8.0MW wind turbine for phase 1 of the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm.

DONG Energy has decided to split the offshore wind development project Walney Extension, into phase 1 and 2, each with a capacity of 330MW. MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has been selected as the preferred supplier for phase 1 and will supply blades for the project from its UK factory on the Isle of Wight.

A competitive market is important for the price

Samuel Leupold, Executive Vice President 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.”

Leupold continued: “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 and manufacturing the blades for the Walney Extension project in its UK factory on the Isle of Wight. I’m looking forward to continuing the cooperation with MHI Vestas Offshore Wind and the other members of our supply chain to find further reductions to the cost of electricity.”

DONG Energy and MHI Vestas Offshore Wind already have an agreement for the supply of the V164-8.0MW turbine to the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm.

Offshore wind creates security of supply and green jobs

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said:
“The offshore wind sector is crucial for our energy security and supports thousands of green jobs across Britain. ”

He continued: “We are the world’s number one for offshore wind investment – and we want to see a strong supply chain here in the UK to drive down costs and create even more jobs. I look forward to MHI Vestas Offshore Wind realising their ambition to build a sustainable UK manufacturing base.”

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 British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.

About the Walney Extension project

The Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm has a maximum capacity of 660MW and is located approximately 19 kilometres off the English east coast, next to the 367.2MW Walney Offshore Wind Farm. Based on the formal permits and timetable for the Walney Extension offshore wind farm, offshore construction of the wind farm could potentially start in 2016. However, DONG Energy has not taken a final investment decision to build the offshore wind farm.

As yet, DONG Energy has not finalised the assessment regarding a preferred supplier to the other half of the Walney Extension development project.

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