Vestas has received a 216 MW offshore order in Belgium, for the Northwind Offshore Wind Farm. The wind power project is planned for construction on the Bank Zonder Naam off the coast of Zeebrugge in Belgium.
The wind power order includes supply, installation and commissioning of 72 V112-3.0 MW wind turbines, along with a 15-year service and maintenance agreement. The project is scheduled to be completed in the second quarter of 2014
Northwind NV, owned by the Colruyt Group and Aspiravi Offshore, is headed by Frank Coenen, CEO, who was also involved in the very successful construction of the Belwind Bligh Bank 1 Offshore Wind Farm, for which Vestas also supplied the turbines. Frank Coenen sees today’s new agreement with Vestas as a natural next step in the collaboration and partnership between the two companies.
“We have had a very fruitful relationship with Vestas over the years and we fully recognise their experience in the field of offshore wind. I am therefore very pleased to now be taking our partnership to the next level by having a signed agreement in place with Vestas for the Northwind Offshore Wind Farm. I hope to be taking the many lessons learned from the Belwind Bligh Bank project and actively putting these to good use when constructing this new offshore wind farm together,” states Coenen. “I believe the V112-3.0 MW is a very competitive turbine, and I look forward to seeing it perform at Northwind.”
“Vestas is very proud to be chosen by Northwind for the 216 MW offshore project in Belgium,” says Juan Araluce, Chief Sales Officer, Vestas Wind Systems A/S. “This is a very important milestone for Vestas, as we look to strengthen our position within offshore. We are truly committed to the development of offshore wind energy and we are extremely proud to receive another strong customer commitment to our V112 platform technology.”
“This agreement is a significant joint accomplishment building on our close partnership that started with the successful construction and operation of the Belwind Bligh Bank 165 MW offshore project and now paving the way for yet another strong Northwind commitment. With this new 216 MW offshore project in Belgium, it has been a pleasure to see the very close collaboration and mutual understanding between our teams going back to the very first engagements in 2008. Today, we are proud to have built an even closer relationship with Northwind and look very much forward to growing our mutual businesses and collaboration,” says Uffe Vinther-Schou, Senior Vice President, Vestas Offshore.
About Northwind NV
Northwind’s mission is to develop, construct and run a wind farm on the Bank zonder Naam (Lodewijkbank) in the North Sea. The company (formerly Eldepasco) was established in December 2007 and received a concession from the Federal Belgian Authorities, as well as all offshore permits and grid connection. Shareholders are the Colruyt Group (www.colruytgroup.com) and green energy company Aspiravi Offshore (www.aspiravi.be). For more information, visit www.northwindenergy.eu.
Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 46,000 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by approximately 50 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Today, Vestas has installed turbines in 69 countries, providing jobs for approximately 20,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world.
Vestas has been a pioneer within offshore wind since the birth of the industry and has, as per 31 December 2011, installed 570 offshore turbines equaling 20 per cent of all offshore turbines in the world. In 2010 alone, Vestas installed a total of 555 MW at the Robin Rigg, Thanet and Bligh Bank offshore wind farms and the overall number of installed capacity has now surpassed 1,400 MW.
We invite you to learn more about Vestas by visiting our website at www.vestas.com.
Wind power in Belgium
1997: 4 MW
1998: 6 MW (+50 %)
1999: 9 MW (+50 %)
2000: 13 MW (+44.5 %)
2001: 32 MW (+146.2 %)
2002: 44 MW (+37.5 %)
2003: 68 MW (+54.6 %)
2004: 95 MW (+39.8 %)
2005: 167 MW (+75.8 %)
2006: 194 MW (+16.2 %)
2007: 287 MW (+48 %)
2008: 384 MW (+33.8 %)
2009: 563 MW (+46.7 %)
2010: 886 MW (+57.4 %)
2011: 1,078 MW (+21.7 %)
By José Santamarta, www.vestas.com
