Leading offshore wind developer, Dong Energy, has signed a preliminary framework agreement with the sector’s dominant turbine manufacturer, Siemens Energy, for the supply and servicing of 300 6MW machines.
The deal lays the foundation for Siemens to supply its new direct drive, 154m rotor turbines for UK offshore wind farms built by Dong during the period 2014-2017. Dong's UK offshore wind pipeline includes extensions to London Array, Burbo Bank and Walney as well as two Round 3 development zones, Hornsea and Irish Sea.
Commenting on Dong’s motivation for pursuing the deal, acting chief executive, Carsten Krogsgaard Thomsen: "The agreement will enable Dong Energy to install a significantly larger turbine from 2014 compared to the turbines we know today."
The contract does not commit Dong to buying 300 Siemens’ machines, however, it must pay a cancellation fee to the turbine manufacturer if it decides not to proceed with the offshore projects for which the turbines would be destined.
The two companies have been collaborating for some time on the 6MW design, making today’s announcement simply a confirmation that they are confident that the turbine is ready for commercialisation. Dong and Siemens have repeatedly joined forces on offshore wind projects. Currently, are working jointly in three offshore wind markets, on projects with a combined capacity of approximately 2GW. These are:
- Lincs, London Array and West of Duddon Sands in the UK
- Borkum Riffgrund 1 in Germany
- Anholt in Danish waters.
.png)
.png)
