MHI Vestas Offshore Wind (MVOW) has signed a conditional agreement with Skovgaard Invest and Energicenter Nord to supply four V164-8.0MW offshore wind turbines for the Velling Mærsk project in Western Denmark.

MVOW is a joint venture between Vestas Wind Systems (50%) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (50%).

The 0-series of the V164-8.0MW will be used by the Velling Mærsk project mainly to test the installation methods and operation and maintenance procedures of the turbine onshore before starting serial deliveries offshore.

MHI Vestas Offshore Wind CEO Jens Tommerup said Skovgaard Invest, Energicenter Nord and a number of local land owners have invested in the V164-8.0MW.

Tommerup said, “It’s a big milestone for the new joint venture and it sends a clear signal to the market that the development of the turbine is on track.

“The order for the first 0-series V164-8.0 MW turbines is a crucial step in the ramp up towards serial production. We will verify the performance, reliability and efficiency of the wind turbine before taking it offshore.

Not only has the region been the primary area for testing of Vestas turbines for the past 15 years, which includes the installation and testing of the V112-3.0 MW turbine – also together with Skovgaard Invest and Energicenter Nord, but also 75% of the wind park is planned to be sold off to local land owners and other local members of the community under the Danish VE (Renewable Energy) Agreement.”

With installation of the turbines scheduled to commence in mid-2015, the project includes a 20-year AOM 5000 service agreement with the first five years of operation being used for testing.