Navitus Bay Development Ltd., a joint venture between Eneco Wind UK Ltd. and EDF Energy, has appointed MHI Vestas Offshore Wind the preferred turbine supplier for the Navitus Bay offshore wind farm, an up-to-970 MW project proposed in the U.K.
MHI Vestas is poised to supply its V164-8.0 MW turbines. Navitus Bay says the 8 MW machines, which feature 80-metter-long blades, mean fewer units would be required than would have been the case with other, less-powerful turbines. The maximum number of turbines would therefore fall from 194 to 121 for the 970 MW project and reduce from 105 to 78 for the smaller 630 MW option.
Navitus Bay says this marks the first major step in the procurement process for the wind farm, and further announcements will enable other companies in the region to compete to supply the project. MHI Vestas will now be involved in the negotiations to select the wind farm's operations and maintenance base from a short list of Poole, Portland and Yarmouth.
"We look forward to working together with Navitus Bay in order to negotiate the project through the necessary milestones needed to realize the project as a firm and unconditional order," says MHI Vestas CEO Jens Tommerup.
"If the project translates into a firm and unconditional order, the 80-meter blades are planned to be produced locally at our manufacturing facility on the Isle of Wight, providing jobs in the region close to the project," adds Tommerup.
The proposed Navitus Bay project is located off the Dorset and Hampshire coast and to the west of the Isle of Wight. The project could be up to 970 MW, with a mitigation option of 630 MW, subject to development consent.
