The world’s most powerful floating wind system so far was completed when a 9.5MW MHI Vestas turbine was installed on a platform in Scotland ahead of deployment at the pioneering Kincardine project.
The V164 turbine – expected to be in place at the project site off Aberdeen in December – is the first of five that will be deployed at the 50MW Kincardine development, which will itself become the world’s largest floating wind array following completion next year.
The 9.5MW model surpasses the 8.4MW V164s used on the already-operating WindFloat Atlantic project off Portugal.
Kincardine – which has seen its deployment delayed by Covid disruption – is being led by Spanish construction company Cobra.
Cobra said: “The installation of the largest turbine ever to have been placed on a floating foundation represents a major milestone for the project and we are very much looking forward to seeing it generate power at site very soon.”
MHI Vestas Project Director, Allan Birk Wisby added: “The V164-9.5 MW turbines are an excellent fit for the Kincardine project, and it is a great achievement by the team to have completed first installation at the quayside.”
MHI Vestas is set to drive the floating wind bar even higher when it supplies 10MW turbines to the EolMed and Gulf of Lion pilot projects off France.
Developer EDPR this week unveiled plans for a 144MW floating project off the Canary Islands that would use 12MW turbines.
