Thus far, Vestas has installed more than 2,000 onshore wind turbines in the UK with a total capacity of more than 4 GW. The Viking wind project will mark a significant step forward for onshore wind in the UK at a time when renewable energy is setting new records providing almost 40 percent of the UK’s electricity. It shows that onshore wind is one of the most cost-competitive energy sources in the UK today and it underlines its ability to play a key role in the UK government’s ambition to bring all greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.
Vestas will supply SSE Renewables with 103 V117-4.2 MW turbines in 4.3 MW Power Optimised Mode. This is a turbine model known for its ability to withstand extreme wind conditions, thus it is a really good model for the site’s strong winds, which will in turn maximise energy output and simultaneously lower the levelised cost of energy. As part of the long-term service agreement for the Viking project, Vestas is aiming to establish a service organisation based on the Shetland Islands which will provide high quality employment opportunities supported by an apprentice programme.
“This contract represents another significant milestone for our Viking project” said Paul Cooley, Director of Capital Projects at SSE Renewables. “We are delighted to be working with Vestas again with whom we have a significant track record of project delivery. The optimised V117-4.3 MW machines provide the durability and performance that we require to ensure that Viking delivers to its full potential. Viking will be the largest onshore wind farm in the UK by output and will bring significant economic opportunities to Shetland and beyond”.
Viking wind farm will harness the excellent wind conditions on the Shetland Island to produce almost 2 TWh of energy each year – enough to power almost half a million homes annually and reduce carbon emissions by half a million tonnes each year. When complete, it will be the UK’s largest and most productive onshore wind farm in terms of annual electricity output, playing a crucial role in contributing towards the UK and Scotland’s net zero targets.
The order includes supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, as well as a 30-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement. The project will feature a VestasOnline Business SCADA solution, lowering turbine downtime and thereby optimising energy output.
Deliveries and commissioning are expected to begin in the first quarter of 2023.
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