Vestas has been confirmed as the supplier of the 103 turbines for the Shetland-based Viking Wind Farm, the UK’s largest onshore wind development.
As part of the contract the Danish wind turbine manufacturer will also enter into a long-term agreement to service the project when it becomes operational.
The intention is to establish a Shetland-based “service organisation” to provide employment and apprenticeships to locals.
Vestas will provide Viking with its V117-4.2 MW turbine in 4.3 MW Power Optimised Mode, a model known for its ability to withstand extreme wind conditions.
The turbine contract award follows the decision by developer SSE Renewables in June to invest £580 million in the new onshore wind farm as part of efforts to drive the transition to a zero-carbon future.
Work is expected to get underway on the 443MW Viking Wind Farm, which is expected to support 400 jobs at peak construction, this month and is scheduled to be completed in 2024.
Once installed and operational, it is expected to support up to 35 highly skilled, full-time local jobs.
Last month, Glasgow-based RJ McLeod was named as the main contractor to build the development.
Viking is forecast to produce almost 2TWh of energy each year – enough to power almost half a million homes annually and reduce carbon emissions by half a million tonnes each year.
Paul Cooley, Director of Capital Projects at SSE Renewables, said: “This contract represents another significant milestone for our Viking project. We are delighted to be working with Vestas again with whom who we have a significant track record of project delivery.
“The optimised V117-4.2MW machines provide the durability and performance that we require to ensure that Viking delivers to its full potential. Viking will be the largest onshore wind farm in the UK by output and will bring significant economic opportunities to Shetland and beyond including the ambition by Vestas to establish a Shetland-based service team providing high quality employment and apprentice opportunities.”
Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe, said: “We are pleased to continue our cooperation with SSE Renewables, an excellent partnership that dates back 20 years. The Viking project creates a highly competitive business case for our customer and sends a strong signal for economic growth and green recovery in Shetland, the UK and beyond. It is an honour for us to contribute to the success of this landmark wind project.”
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