Vestas’ giant 15MW offshore wind turbines are in line to equip the 1.1GW Inch Cape project off Scotland in another boost for the Danish OEM’s flagship machine.

Co-developers Red Rock Power of China and Ireland’s ESB named Vestas preferred supplier to Inch Cape, which won a UK contract-for-difference (CfD) support deal in the latest UK government auctions earlier this year.

The preferred supplier agreement for 72 Vestas V236-15.0 MW turbines also includes a 15-year operations and maintenance deal.

Inch Cape’s project team said: “This is another important step in the development of the Inch Cape Offshore Wind Farm, which will be Scotland’s largest single source of renewable power when commissioned. Vestas brings a wealth of international experience and we look forward to working with the team to deliver this significant project.”

Inch Cape marks another boost for the V236, coming days after it was lined up for the 1.2GW Baltic Power project off Poland.

The V236-15MW, which will capture energy from unprecedented 43,000m2 swept-area using 115.5-metre blades, will be able to generate around 80 GWh/year – 65% higher annual energy production (AEP) than the V174-9.5MW that is already being installed in projects off Europe.

The giant machine – first unveiled in early 2021 – is slated to enter full scale production in 2024 and already has other major orders lined up, including for EnBW’s 900MW He Dreiht in the German North Sea, and Equinor and BP’s 2GW-plus Empire Wind projects off New York.