Luxcara has signed a preferred supplier agreement with Chinese manufacturer Mingyang Smart Energy for the supply of turbines to the roughly 270MW Waterkant offshore wind farm in Germany.
The reservation agreement covers 16 machines with up to 18.5MW capacity apiece.
Units will have a rotor diameter of 260 metres, according to the asset manager.
Luxcara said it “thoroughly examined the turbine offers received in response to an international tender launched in late 2023”.
The decision to opt for Mingyang was “based on an extensive due diligence exercise” that covered supply chain, ESG compliance aligned with the EU taxonomy and cyber security supported by independent experts from international advisors DNV and KPMG, it added, noting Mingyang will guarantee the turbines are manufactured using 100% renewable energy.
“As part of the cooperation, Mingyang will also bring job opportunities locally to Europe. Relevant electrical components of the turbine will be sourced from European sub-suppliers.”
Waterkant project director Holger Matthiesen said: “By deciding for the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbine, we will be able to expedite Germany’s energy transition while fostering much-needed competition in the industry.
“In any case, management, operation and control of the Waterkant wind farm will remain entirely in the hands of an independent German company.”
The wind farm is to be built in the German North Sea in the N-6.7 development zone following the award of seabed rights in a 2023 auction.