First power achieved at Blauwwind project
Aarhus, Denmark
August 7, 2020
The first of over 825,000 Dutch households is now receiving clean electricity from the Borssele III/IV offshore wind project as first power is flowing to the Dutch grid.
As of today, the 731.5 MW Borssele III/IV offshore wind project has achieved first power, a result of close collaboration between the Blauwwind project partners and the supply chain. The turbine installation campaign began in late May 2020 and has now seen 36 of the 77 V164-9.5 MW MHI Vestas turbines secure at site.
Borssele III/IV is due for completion in October 2020 and when fully installed, will supply enough clean renewable energy to power more than 825,000 Dutch households, accounting for up to 2.3% of total Dutch electricity demand.
“With the Borssele III/IV offshore wind project now online and delivering electricity to the grid, Dutch consumers can be certain they are moving towards a clean energy future,” said Laurens van Pijkeren, MHI Vestas Project Director. “The collaborative efforts of all project partners has enabled MHI Vestas to install 36 of the largest turbines in the world on schedule, despite a myriad of challenges arising from Covid-19. We look forward to continuing our collaboration with the Blauwwind project partners as we move towards completion of the project later in 2020.”
“I am proud of the team that has managed the safe execution and the commissioning phase, achieving first power on time,” says Roeland Borsboom, Project Director and CEO for Blauwwind. “Keeping a project of this scale and complexity on track in these challenging times can only be managed through good collaboration and flexibility. The delivery of first power has been achieved in close collaboration with partners Van Oord, MHI Vestas and TenneT, who has provided grid readiness one month ahead of time.”
Throughout the rest of the installation campaign, it is anticipated that one additional turbine will become operational per day, following control testing. Following installation and full commissioning, MHI Vestas also holds a 15 year service agreement to operate and maintain the Borssele III/IV project.
The Borssele III/IV offshore wind project, which is situated 22 km off the coast of Zeeland, Netherlands, is being developed by the Blauwwind consortium, consisting of Partners Group, Shell, Eneco, Diamond Generating Europe and Van Oord.
About MHI Vestas Offshore Wind
MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems A/S (50%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (50%). The company’s focus is to design, manufacture, install and service wind turbines for the offshore wind industry. The company aims to create sustainable value through offshore wind power by driving capital and operating savings and increasing the power output of wind turbines. An innovative force in offshore wind since its inception in 2014, the company is guided by its founding principles of collaboration, trust, technology and commitment.
About the Blauwwind Consortium
On 12 December 2016 the Blauwwind Consortium was awarded by the Dutch government the right to develop, construct and operate the Borssele III/IV offshore wind project under a 30-year lease and assumed 25-year operational life after construction. The wind farms will be located 22 kilometres off the coast of the province of Zeeland in The Netherlands. TSO TenneT will build the grid connections and construct the offshore substation in the wind farm zone. The wind project will use V164 9.5MW turbines made by MHI Vestas.