Offshore Wind Majors Sign Turbine Test-bed Agreement

Dong Energy advances its involvement in Vestas’ prototype testing of the V164-8MW turbine in Østerild, Denmark.

Dong Energy and Vestas Wind Systems have entered into a cooperation agreement on the testing of Vestas' V164-8.0 MW wind turbine at Test Centre Østerild in Denmark. Through this agreement, Dong Energy becomes involved earlier in Vestas´ development of the V164-8.0 MW offshore wind turbine than previously envisaged.  This ensures Dong Energy a detailed  understanding of and  experience with Vestas’ new offshore wind turbine at an early stage.

Vestas expects that the first turbine will be installed and commissioned at Test Centre Østerild during the second quarter of 2014. If the tests results are positive, there may be interest in further test and possibly commercial collaboration between the two companies.

As a consequence of the enhanced cooperation and early access to relevant test data from Test Centre Østerild, Dpmg has decided not to build the V164-8.0 MW as a test- and demonstration project in Frederikshavn. The reason for this is that the majority of the tests that they were envisaging to perform there are included in the Vestas planned test scope at Østerild.

“The cooperation with Vestas on the V164-8.0 MW turbine is very exciting. We look forward to give our input to the development of Vestas’ next-generation wind turbine, as large turbines, dedicated to offshore conditions, contribute to more competitive offshore wind turbine technology” said Henrik Poulsen, CEO of Dong Energy.