VESTAS and DONG Energy have agreed to trial the V164-7.0 MW wind turbine offshore Frederikshavn, Denmark. This will be a dedicated offshore machine developed specifically for the harsh conditions at sea.
DONG’s total investment in the establishment of the six-turbine test site will amount to around DKK 240 million. The V164-7.0 MW turbine is scheduled for installation in 2013.
As part of the demonstration, DONG and Vestas will cooperate on a technical due diligence of the V164-7.0 MW turbine. Reducing the costs of constructing offshore windfarms will be a focus of the Danish duo’s cooperation.
Frederikshavn offshore demonstration site is owned by DONG Energy and is situated some 4.5km off the port. The water depths at the site are 15-20m.
Vestas is eyeing a location at Sheerness, Kent, as a possible assembly point for the 7MW turbine model, once sufficiently tested to commercialise. The manufacturer’s prime market targets are UK Round Three projects.