Vestas turbine order sounds welcome note for vessel builders

The new order follows the strong outcome of Allocation Round 7, which has helped reinforced confidence in the UK’s offshore wind pipeline and helped accelerate progress on the country’s large scale offshore wind projects.

“The momentum behind offshore wind in Europe is building with the UK Government stepping up its commitment in AR7 and projects like Vanguard West moving forward,” said Nils de Baar, President of Vestas Northern & Central Europe and Global Offshore.

”This combination of industry partnership and government commitment sends a powerful signal about the UK’s determination to drive forward its renewable energy ambitions. The project strengthens the UK’s long‑term energy security goals and helps the consumer with lower energy prices.”

Long-term agreement

The order includes 92 Vestas V236-15.0 MW wind turbines, with Vestas responsible for the supply, delivery and commissioning of the turbines.

Upon completion, Vestas will also service the assets under a five-year comprehensive service agreement followed by a long-term operational support agreement.

Sven Utermöhlen, CEO RWE Offshore Wind, said: “Following RWE’s success in Allocation Round 7, this partnership marks a further important step towards delivering the Vanguard West project.”

“Given RWE’s significant offshore experience, we are delighted to be partnering with Vestas, who have extensive expertise in turbine manufacture and delivery.”

The Vanguard West project site is located around 47 km off the coast of Norfolk in East Anglia. RWE is currently targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) for Vanguard West in summer of 2026 with commissioning of the project expected in 2029.

Vanguard West is one of the cluster of three consented projects that RWE acquired from Vattenfall on 21 December 2023. The purchase of Vanguard West, East & Boreas was completed on 27 March 2024.