MHI Vestas to supply V164-8.4 MW wind turbines in Belgium

Norther N. V. (Eneco/ Elicio) has taken Final Investment Decision (FID) for the Norther project. MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will provide 44 x V164-8.4 MW (totalling approximately 370 MW) wind turbines to Belgium’s largest offshore wind project.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind won the competitive tender process and was awarded the firm & unconditional contract for the 370 MW Norther offshore wind power plant in Belgium. The project is owned by Norther N.V. a JV between Elicio and Boreas (Eneco & Mitsubishi Corporation). The project will be developped with three sponsors Elicio N.V. (50%), Eneco (25%) and Mitsibushi Corporation (25%). When commissioned in 2019 the Norther project will be Belgium’s largest wind power plant.

Photo: courtesy of MHI Vestas Offshore Wind

The V164-8.0 MW turbines – rated with a capacity of 8 MW – have been optimised for the project, utilising a power mode to be able to deliver a maximum output of 8.4 MW, further increasing the value for the customer.

Norther with an awarded grid capacity of 370 MW is located in the Belgian North Sea, approximately 23 km off the coast of Zeebrugge and is able to produce clean energy to cover the consumption of 400,000 Belgian households, contributing significantly to Belgium meeting its target of generating 13% of its energy needs from renewable sources by 2020.

Norther is the biggest offshore windfarm in Belgium and will supply renewable energy to 400.000 households.

About the V164-8.0 MW

• 8 MW rated power, with an optimal rotor to generator ratio
• 80 m blades, the equivalent of nine double decker London buses
• Each blade weighs 35 tonnes
• Swept area of 21,124 m2, larger than the London Eye
• The nacelle is 20 m long, 8 m wide and 8 m high, weighing approximately 390 tonnes
• Approximate hub height of 105 m (Østerild prototype 140 m)
• Approximate tip height of 187 m (Østerild prototype 220 m)
• Reduces operational and maintenance costs by enabling customers to run fewer, larger turbines
• World record production by a single wind turbine of 192 MWh in 24-hour period (October 2014)