Vestas has been chosen as preferred supplier for a 1300MW floating wind project off the south-east coast of South Korea, being developed by Shell and Hexicon.
If the MunmuBaram project materialises, Vestas will supply and install 84 V236-15.0MW turbines, to be installed on floating foundations in the project area of approximately 240 sq km in water depths ranging between 120 and 150 metres.
This will mark the first announced large-scale floating offshore project for Vestas, and the first announced project of V236-15.0 MW for installation on floating foundations.
The MunmuBaram project is Vestas’ third partnership with Shell, following to the 730MW Borssele III/IV offshore wind project in the Netherlands, and the Atlantic Shores’ 1.5GW offshore wind project in the USA which will also feature V236-15.0MW turbines.
Once installed, Vestas will also deliver 20-year service and maintenance for the wind farm by establishing a dedicated local service organisation, contributing to local job creation and providing training for offshore service technicians.
“We are excited to engage in this innovative project that spearheads the global offshore wind industry and underlines our ambition to partner with customers and suppliers to make floating offshore wind energy profitable, scalable, and serviceable.
“Vestas continues its ambition to be a leader in offshore wind and we remain committed to contribute to South Korea’s clean energy target, in close partnership with our customers,” said Purvin Patel, President of Vestas Asia Pacific.
“Large-scale turbines will make floating offshore wind projects more economically feasible by improving the yields. For stable operation of large-scale turbines, the integration with floating foundations (floaters) is essential,” said YoungKyu Ju, Project Director of MunmuBaram.
He added: “This agreement will help develop a competitive floating offshore wind business model by optimising Vestas’ 15MW turbines with locally produced floaters.
“We look forward to help Korea’s offshore wind industry grow through the successful development of commercial-scale floating offshore wind project”.
Vestas has installed more than 8GW or more than 1500 offshore turbines globally, and Vestas has also installed turbines on floating foundations for over a decade including projects off the coasts of Scotland and Portugal.