The one-thousandth Vestas offshore wind turbine blade has rolled out of the OEM’s Isle of Wight facility in the UK.
Fabrication of the 80-metre unit, destined for the rotor of a 9.5MW machine at the giant 1GW Seagreen project in the North Sea, the 80-metre unit – which Recharge first reported on in 2013 – comes as the Dane makes it re-entry to offshore market, following its buy-out of sector joint ventury partner Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Vestas CEO Henrik Andersen said: “With over 20 years in the UK, more than 1,000 V164 blades now produced from the Isle of Wight for UK and European markets, and significant R&D activity on our cutting-edge blades taking place in the UK, we are truly committed to the UK.
The OEM glossed the milestone saying it was “intent on expanding its already sizeable UK footprint… if successful in securing enough orders from the UK’s upcoming Round 4 auction”.
“We positive about the market potential being created from the CfD [Contract for Difference] rounds. If successful in securing enough turbine orders from CfD allocation round 4, which includes a strengthened supply chain plan policy for project developers, Vestas is intent on expanding its already sizeable UK footprint.
“We are in discussions with a number of potential partners and look forward to securing competitive solutions that augment Vestas’ activities in the UK, for delivery of future UK projects.”
Vestas is currently developing what would be the world's longest design, a 15.5-metre model, to power its 15MW turbine, the V236.
