Vestas in talks with possible V164 partners

DENMARK: Vestas has insisted it is committed to developing its V164 7MW offshore turbines and has had enquiries from potential partners to co-develop the turbine.

Vestas V164 7MW turbine... so far only exists on paper

In May, Vestas announced it was postponing the prototype for the V164 from 2013 to 2014. In addition the company also cancelled plans to build a dedicated manufacturing plant for the turbine at Sheerness in south east England.

Asked by Windpower Monthly whether Vestas was still considering building the V164 in the UK, Vestas Offshore senior vice president Uffe Vinther-Schou said the company was currently looking at different options regarding the manufacturing of the V164. He was unable to say whether it would build the turbine in the UK.

Vestas Offshore senior vice president Uffe Vinther-Schou described the V164 as a "game changer", adding: "We have received enquiries from potential partners regarding further development of the  V164 and we are looking into this at the moment."

Asked directly whether Vestas was likely to follow the route of Nordex, which cancelled its N150/5000 turbine after failing to find a suitable development partner, Vinther-Schou said: "Vestas is very committed to the development of the V164. We will install the first prototype during 2014.

"Timing for serial production of the V164 will depend on market development and unconditional orders."

For more see the upcoming August issue of Windpower Monthly

Click here to access the survey and vote for the industry leaders of 2012.