Aarhus, Denmark
November 11, 2020

First ever V164-9.5 MW turbine installed on a floating wind project

MHI Vestas has now installed the first V164 9.5 MW turbine, the most powerful turbine in use at a floating wind project, at the installation harbour for the Kincardine floating offshore wind farm.

Today, MHI Vestas Offshore Wind (MHI Vestas) has furthered its leading position in floating offshore wind, installing the largest and most powerful offshore wind turbine on a floating platform for the Kincardine offshore wind project.

The first V164-9.5 MW turbine was installed on a Principle Power WindFloat platform, the first of 5 such units to be installed at the Kincardine project.

This advance in turbine nameplate capacity is a continuation of MHI Vestas’ world-leading floating wind credentials, including the recent installation of WindFloat Atlantic.

Kincardine, being developed by Cobra Group, is set to be the largest floating wind farm in the world by nameplate capacity.

The five units at the project will be installed about 15km off the coast of Kincardineshire, at water depths ranging from 60m to 80m. This first 9.5MW unit is expected to be anchored at the project site in December 2020.

“We are proud to have the most powerful turbines installed on a floating offshore wind platform,” said MHI Vestas Project Director, Allan Birk Wisby. “The V164-9.5 MW turbines are an excellent fit for the Kincardine project, and it is a great achievement by the team to have completed first installation at the quayside. We look forward to completing the remaining 4 units.”

Cobra Group said: “This is an exciting, world leading project developed by Cobra Group. The Kincardine floating windfarm will be the biggest ever built. The installation of the largest turbine ever to have been placed on a floating foundation represents a major milestone for the project and we are very much looking forward to seeing it generate power at site very soon.”

Kincardine is expected to power approximately 35,000 Scottish households.

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 Kincardine Floating Offshore Wind

• Developer: Kincardine Offshore Wind, Ltd (KOWL). Majority owned by the Cobra Group
• EPC Contractor: Cobra Wind International Limited (CWIL).
• Turbines: 5 x V164-9.525 MW + 1 V80-2.0 MW
• Blade tip height: 190 metres
• Foundation: WindFloat (floating, semi-submersible type)
• Project Capacity: 49.625 MW
• Location: Aberdeen Bay, Scotland
• Distance from Shore: 15 km
• Sea Depth: 60-80 metres
• Nominal Voltage: 33 kV
• Number of homes powered annually: 35,000
• Expected life: 25 years
• Noteworthy fact: Most powerful wind turbines operating on a floating foundation

About Cobra Group
Cobra is a company within the ACS group of companies which has acquired a strong reputation in the overall market as a strong, reliable and experienced EPC Contractor in Oil & Gas projects and in the Energy and Renewable sectors. Cobra possesses extensive experience in the development, construction, operation and maintenance of industrial facilities and power plants, but is also known for its strong international presence.

About ACS Group
ACS is a worldwide reference group for construction, civil works and related services, developing its activity in over 54 countries in key sectors such as Oil & Gas, Infrastructures, Mining, Power & Heat (CCGT) and Energy (Renewable Energy facilities including onshore & offshore wind, tidal, hydroelectric power plants, solar PV and solar thermal –CSP– plants). ACS, through Cobra, is strongly investing in renewable wind and dispatchable solar thermal energy development; high voltage transmission lines development all around the world; and desalination plants development throughout the Mediterranean.