Danish wind turbines specialist Vestas has received an order from Hirtshals Havnefond for a 17MW project in Denmark, which is set to be the first utility-scale subsidy free windpark in the country.

29Mar - Vestas

Image: Vestas has received an order from Hirtshals Havnefond for a 17MW project in Denmark. Photo: Courtesy of Pexels from Pixabay.

The project site is located directly on the waterfront in the Port of Hirtshals in the northwestern part of Denmark, with medium to high wind conditions.

Vestas has developed a solution customized for the site that includes four V136-4.2 MW turbines with 82-meter towers to optimize annual energy production for making wind energy as one of the cheapest sources of energy across the globe.

Hirtshals Havnefond has secured a short-term power purchase agreement (PPA) with Energi Danmark that in combination with the site’s strong wind conditions and the deployment of Vestas’ industry-leading technology have enabled the wind park to be financed on merchant market terms.

The company said that the project comes shortly after the Denmark’s first energy-neutral auction in November last year, which showed record-low level of subsidy prices.

Vestas marketing communications and public affairs global senior vice president Morten Dyrholm said: “Denmark’s auction system remains a strong instrument to ensure a successful energy transition and for Denmark to remain a global leader within sustainability.

“Complementing the auction system, this order shows that onshore wind have now reached a point where projects also are possible on market terms if we can put up the newest technology.”

Under the contract, Vestas will be responsible for the delivery and installation of the wind turbines along with providing a 20-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM5000) full scope operations and maintenance service agreement.

Hirtshals Havnefond chairman Jens Peter Lunden said: “We are very satisfied with our partnership with Vestas and we look forward to seeing this unique project develop further and deliver high and efficient energy production. By placing some of the markets most effective wind turbines on one of the most favourable wind sites available, we can operate the wind farm on a market basis.”

Following the full commissioning, the wind park is expected to provide energy for approximately 16.000 households. Delivery and commissioning of the wind farm re are expected in the fourth quarter of 2019.

Vestas North and Western Europe sales vice president Christer Baden Hansen said: “We are honored to partner with Hirtshals Havnefond for this project. The site’s excellent wind conditions, in combination with the introduction of the V136-4.2 MW turbine to the Danish market, have been some of the key ingredients for the realisation of a profitable wind park under merchant market conditions.”