By Isabella Kaminski
DONG Energy and Siemens Wind Power have entered an agreement to test offshore wind turbines as part of a £50 million research and development project.
Siemens Wind Power will supply two newly developed 6 MW offshore wind turbines to DONG Energy, which are likely to be installed at demonstration sites in the UK and Denmark.
The agreement is part of DONG Energy's new demonstration programme for offshore wind turbines and the test results will be used to develop the company's future offshore wind farms.
According to DONG and Siemens, the new turbines will create more power and are expected to be easier to maintain because they are based on direct-drive technology.
Siemens will also supply an updated version of its 3.6 MW turbine with a 120 m rotor for use at DONG Energy's Avedøre Holme test site in Denmark. DONG Energy is investing around DKK450 million (£50 million) in the construction of the three wind turbines.
Anders Eldrup, CEO of DONG Energy, says: ”DONG Energy's leading market position in offshore wind power is based on the company’s long-standing unique skills in the development, construction and operation of offshore wind farms. Demonstration activities play an important role in the retention and development of these skills. For DONG Energy, the implementation of new, more efficient, technologies and optimised concepts and processes is an important element in reducing the costs of offshore wind.”
