Vestas signs up for EDP floating project
PORTUGAL: Vestas is set to deliver a 2MW turbine to the WindPlus floating wind product off the Portuguese coast.
The Windplus project will use a Vestas V88 2MW turbine
Windplus is a joint venture whose partners include the EDP group and Principle Power. The project has a budget of around €18.4 million and will take place in a water depth of around 40 metres.
Under the deal, Vestas is to supply and install a V80 2MW turbine by the end of the year. This will sit on the ‘WindFloat’ semi-submersible platform.
According to Vestas, the platform is designed to dampen any wave and turbine-induced movement.
Speaking about the project last year, the head of Technological Development at EDP Inovação, João Maciel, said tests could last between 12-to-24 months.
President Vestas offshore Anders Søe-Jensen, said: "At Vestas, we are continuously looking into different solutions and materials that will bring even more value to our customers and lower the cost of energy in future offshore wind power plants.
"In that respect, floating foundations are one of the solutions, along with monopile and jacket foundations, with potential for harvesting wind in deeper water offshore sites."
He concludes: "Provided that the project outcome is successful, we believe that it can reinforce the already existing offshore wind industry and thereby help countries around the world increase their wind energy penetration levels and raise their energy independence. We are committed to offshore wind and helping drive new innovative solutions, such as this one cements our leading position in the offshore wind industry."
