MHI Vestas will supply 100 V164-9.5 MW turbines for a 950-megawatt (MW) offshore wind project in Scotland's Moray Firth, confirming the largest capacity project to date in the company's history, the joint venture said Thursday.
'MHI Vestas [an equally-owned joint venture between Danish Vestas and Japanese Mitsubishi Heavy Industries] celebrated financial close today [Thursday] with Moray East for the 950 MW Moray East Offshore Wind Farm as the offshore wind turbine manufacturer signed a firm turbine supply order,' a statement read.
The order includes a 15-year service agreement.
According to the statement, Moray East is located 22 km from the coast of Scotland, and won a Contract for Difference (CfD) from the U.K. government in 2017 to supply electricity at £57.50 per megawatt-hour (MWh), representing a significant cost reduction compared with similar projects under construction today - typically at £140/MWh.
Project director for Moray East, Oscar Diaz, described Moray East as a landmark project for the offshore wind industry, delivering sustainable, renewable generation at a highly competitive power price.
'The project will bring new opportunities to areas including Fraserburgh, where we have announced [in May] the wind farm's operations and maintenance base will be located, and in the Cromarty Firth, where the port was last week selected as the pre-assembly port.
'We look forward to working with MHI Vestas, particularly in Fraserburgh and in Invergordon, where we have ongoing plans for local supply chain engagement,' he said.
MHI Vestas CEO Philippe Kavafyan said installing 'the world’s most powerful commercial turbine', the V164-9.5 MW, in Moray Firth would mean more local, clean energy jobs in Scotland and across the U.K., including the company’s most recent expansion of blade production on the Isle of Wight.
Moray Offshore Windfarm (East) Limited (MOWEL) consortium is currently owned by Madrid-based EDPR (43.3 percent), and London-based Diamond Green Limited, which is partly owned by DGE (33.4 percent) and Engie (23.3 percent), according to the project's website.
The wind farm is expected to be operational by 2022.
By Hale Turkes
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr