A flurry of end-year deals has helped Vestas record a shave over 12GW of global orders for 2018.
Over 350MW of projects announced in Europe have helped the company beat its previous record last year, for 11,178MW.
These include a 32MW contract for the extension of the Ulassai wind park in Italy, plus projects in Sweden, Denmark, Ukraine and Poland.
The order for the Ulassai wind farm, placed by Sardeolica, includes the supply and installation of nine V117-3.45MW turbines delivered in 3.6MW power optimised mode, which add to the 48 V80-2.0MW turbines already installed on the site.
Vestas Mediterranean eastern cluster general manager Rainer Karan said: “This is Vestas’ first contract outside the auctions systems in Italy and therefore showcases, once again, the competitiveness and efficiency of wind energy.
“Since 2012, when the country held its first auction, Vestas has achieved more than 1GW in order intake derived from auction-wins in Italy. In this regard, this new contract represents a great step on the country’s transition towards renewable energy and we are so proud to be part of this milestone.”
Turbine delivery is planned for the second quarter of 2019 whilst commissioning is expected by the third quarter of the same year.
Vestas has also won 321MW of orders for projects in Sweden, Denmark, Poland and Ukraine.
In Sweden Vestas has secured a 105MW order from Fred Olsen Renewables for the Hogalind project.
The order includes 25 V150-4.2MW turbines as well as a two-year service contract.
Turbine deliveries are expected to begin in the second quarter of 2019. Commissioning is planned for the third quarter of next year.
Vestas head of sales Nordics Christer Baden Hansen said: “This order underlines how Vestas can offer state-of-the-art technology and leverage our extensive experience across the value chain to strengthen our market leading position in Sweden.
“We look forward to working with Fred Olsen Renewables on the execution phase of the project.”
The Danish company has also won a 99MW engineering, procurement and construction order from DTEK Renewables for the Orlovka wind project in Zaporizhia, Ukraine.
The agreement includes Vestas’ 4MW platform turbines delivered in 3.8MW power optimised mode plus a 20-year service contract.
Deliveries are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2019, while commissioning is planned for the fourth quarter of 2019.
Vestas Northern and Central Europe president Nils de Baar said: “With this order, Vestas reinforces its leading role in Ukraine’s renewable energy market and continues to support the country’s renewable ambitions.”
At a Polish auction in November 2018 Vestas received an 88MW order from state-run utility PGE for the 22MW Karnice 2 and 66MW Starza Rybice projects.
Turbines will be delivered in the third quarter of 2019, while commissioning is planned for fourth quarter of 2019.
The two projects will feature 10 V110-2.2MW and 33 V100-2.0MW turbines respectively, plus a two-year service contract.
De Baar said: “We are pleased that Poland is back as an onshore wind market with the recent energy neutral auction being dominated by wind projects at very competitive prices.”
On home soil Vestas has also received a 29MW repowering order from Danish utility NRGi Renewables for the Tagmark wind park in Thisted Municipality in north-west Jutland.
The site consists of six V66-1.75MW turbines, which will be replaced by eight V117-3.45MW turbines delivered in 3.6MW power optimised mode, more than doubling the facility’s annual energy production.
Deliveries are expected to begin in the third quarter of 2019, while commissioning is planned for the fourth quarter of 2019.
NRGi Renewables chief executive Jakob Bundgaard said: “Our strong partnership with Vestas on this project has enabled us to deliver the most competitive bid in Denmark’s first energy-neutral auction, which marks a significant milestone in Denmark’s green transition as it highlights that renewable energy projects are soon possible without any state subsidies.”
The local owners of the current turbines will be part owners of the new project and 20% of the new wind park will be sold in shares to nearest neighbours.
Vestas won the repowering project in Denmark’s first energy-neutral auction held in November 2018.
Vestas’ Baden Hansen said: “To partner with NRGI on this repowering project, which is derived from Denmark’s first energy-neutral auction, highlights onshore wind energy offers the lowest cost of energy and Denmark’s repowering potential.”