April 25, 2018 – Leuven, Belgium

With installation planned for late 2019, Northwester 2 is set to become the world’s first offshore wind park with the record-setting V164-9.5 MW turbine.

The offshore wind industry will look to Belgium for its first glimpse at the V164-9.5 MW turbine, the most powerful available wind turbine in the world.

The 224 MW Northwester 2 project, the fourth collaboration between Parkwind and MHI Vestas, will comprise 23 turbines and provide enough clean energy to power 220,000 Belgian homes.

Co-CEO’s of Parkwind, Eric Antoons & François Van Leeuw, said, “The Northwester 2 timing and general schedule is very challenging in the light of the timing wanted by the Belgian government. This challenging timeline has played an important role in the choice for MHI Vestas as turbine supplier having the capability of delivering the V164-9.5 MW. Parkwind is very delighted to have MHI Vestas for the fourth time as a partner". 

Both companies attribute the fast installation timetable, set for late 2019, to the industrialisation of offshore wind in Belgium, a highly collaborative approach, and supply chain readiness.

MHI Vestas CEO, Philippe Kavafyan, said, “We are delighted to sign our fourth project with Parkwind – and it is a historic one. The first commercial installation of the world’s most powerful available turbine, the V164-9.5 MW, will be a Parkwind project, which is significant for our company and a notable milestone for the industry.”

Highlighting the positive impact of offshore wind on local communities in Belgium, the project promises to provide more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs during the construction phase and 100 long-term jobs for operations and maintenance.

The conditional order announcement, which includes a service agreement, comes as the government has recently announced it will double offshore wind capacity in Belgian territorial waters, up to 4 GW by 2025.

For further information:

Debbie Tegenbos 
Parkwind 
+32 473 52 12 85 
debbie.tegenbos@parkwind.eu

About Parkwind

Parkwind is a 360 degree company who develops, finances, builds and operates offshore wind farms. Parkwind today operates 552MW in the Belgian territorial waters and has a pipeline of another 554MW offshore in Belgium and Ireland. Parkwind wants to contribute to the European climate and energy policy by combining all offshore wind energy activities of the Colruyt Group, Korys and PMV.

About MHI Vestas Offshore Wind 

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind is a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems A/S 50% and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) 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 Northwester 2

Northwester 2 is a project company holding a 224MW concession in Belgian territorial waters. Parkwind, a leading offshore wind company, will be in charge of the development, construction and operational activities. The company is headquartered in Leuven (Belgium).

• Total MW: 224

• Number of Belgian homes powered: 220,000

• Estimated CO2 reduction: 500,000 metric tonnes (170,000 cars)

• Construction employment: 1,000+ direct and indirect jobs

• Long-term employment: 100+ direct and indirect jobs

About the V164-9.5 MW Turbine

• The most powerful, commercially available wind turbine in the world

• One turbine can power 9,500 Belgian homes

• Each blade is 80 m in length, weighs 35 tonnes and has a 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 and approximate tip height of 187 m

• Reduces maintenance costs by enabling customers to run fewer, larger turbines

• World record production by a single wind turbine of 216 MWh in 24-hour period (December 2016)