Vestas has secured agreements to supply turbines to Vattenfall for the 4200MW Norfolk offshore wind complex off east England.
The Danish manufacturer will supply 92 15MW turbines under a preferred supplier agreement for the 1380MW Vanguard West, as reported exclusive earlier by reNEWS.
It has also signed exclusivity agreements for the Vanguard East and Boreas projects, which have a total installed capacity of 2760MW.
O&M is included in the deals, the manufacturer added.
The deals come on the back of “very positive” signals sent by the UK government to investors when it increased price caps in next year’s Allocation Round 6, the company said.
The Danish manufacturer has been confirmed as the Swedish developer’s preferred supplier after jumping ahead of rivals Siemens Gamesa and GE in negotiations in recent weeks.
Vestas will supply its V236-15.0MW platform (pictured at the Osterild test site) for the three phases of the wind farm, which will each feature 92 units.
Installation could begin around 2027 to align with the delivery of foundations from SeAH Wind, which was last week awarded a £900m deal to fabricate monopiles from its Teesside factory.
A final turbine contract including timings will depend on the outcome of next year’s Allocation Round 6 and a final investment decision on the project.
Boreas will not be eligible to enter next year’s auction as Vattenfall paused development under an AR4 contract earlier this year. It will be available for 2025’s AR7.
The award will be a blow to Siemens Gamesa, which was named preferred supplier in 2021 for the full Norfolk development including the now-stalled 1.4GW Boreas development.
Vattenfall opted to go back to the market after deciding not to bid Vanguard in this year’s AR5.
Among the ongoing discussions between the developer and Vestas are UK manufacturing and marshalling options, according to sources.
“Vattenfall and Vestas’ shared purpose and values form a great foundation for a long and strong partnership within offshore wind, and it is an immense pleasure to sign and announce these agreements,” said Vestas chief Henrik Andersen.
“The agreements are the result of close and positive negotiations between two partners as well as the positive changes the UK Government has announced for next year’s auction.
“By listening to industry concerns, the UK Government has positioned the UK for success within the offshore wind industry. I want to thank the UK Government for its regained leadership and everyone at team Vattenfall and team Vestas for making today’s announcement possible.”
Helene Bistrom, Head of Business Area Wind at Vattenfall, added: “The agreement with Vestas is another important milestone for the Norfolk Offshore Wind Zone. Vestas is a long-standing partner of Vattenfall, and we thank them for their continued engagement.
“The Norfolk Zone will play a vital role in the UK’s energy transition as well as bringing investment into the sector and the region.”