Dong Energy has chosen Siemens as preferred supplier for delivery of their 7.0MW wind turbine for the second phase of the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm.
The second phase of the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm will have a total capacity of 330MW.
Mats Vikholm, Senior Vice President for Dong Energy Wind Power , said: “The 7MW turbine is an upgrade of the 6MW platform, that we are very familiar with and are already installing at both Westermost Rough in the UK and at our Gode Wind 1+2 wind farms in Germany. We are certain that this improved and bigger turbine will contribute to driving down cost of offshore wind power even further.”
Vikholm continued: “We welcome Siemens plans to manufacture substantial parts for our UK projects at the new production facilities in Hull on the British east coast. Having manaufacturers close to the markets where the supplies are needed is very important to us. This will contribute to driving down the costs of electricity as we’re reducing transport and logistics for these heavy components”
Earlier this year, Dong Energy selected MHI Vestas Offshore Wind, with their 8.0MW turbine, as its preferred supplier for the first phase of the Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm.
Walney Extension has already been awarded a contract for difference under the EMR FID-enabling regime and, in November 2014, the project was granted consent by the British Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change.
The Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm has a maximum capacity of 660MW and is located approximately 19 kilometres off the English west coast in the Irish Sea, next to the 367.2MW Walney Offshore Wind Farm. Based on the formal permits and timetable for the Walney Extension offshore wind farm, offshore construction of the wind farm could potentially start in 2017. However, DONG Energy has not taken a final investment decision to build the offshore wind farm.