Vestas Signs Agreement for Composite Blades Made in China
The V150-4.2 MW turbines' blades are 73.7 meters, or 242 feet, long, and they have the industry's tallest steel tower, according to Vestas.
Vestas Wind Systems A/S, the Danish manufacturer, announced March 19 that it has agreed to a multi-year supply agreement with TPI Composites, a leading manufacturer of composite wind blades, to have V150-4.2 MW turbine blades -- primarily for Asian markets, but also global markets when applicable -- made in China. This part of Vestas' strategy to manage the cost of wind energy and produce main components close to key markets, and to strengthen the flexibility and cost-effectiveness of its global manufacturing footprint and supply chain.
TPI will set up four manufacturing lines at its new factory in Yangzhou, Jiangsu, China, offering a competitive base for world-wide delivery of the V150-4.2 MW turbine through the port of Yangzhou. Production is scheduled to start in the first half of 2019. The announcement follows other agreements with TPI, including blade production in Mexico for Latin American markets, and adds to already established third-party blades sourcing in China, Turkey, and Brazil for Vestas.
"With this agreement, TPI Composites will produce blades for Vestas' market-leading V150-4.2 MW turbine, which uses Vestas' longest and most advanced blades, highlighting our ability to continuously build and sustain supply chain flexibility that is critical in today's global wind energy market. By strengthening our global manufacturing footprint, we also expand our local presence in China through the jobs in Yangzhou the new production lines create," said Jean-Marc Lechêne, executive vice president and chief operating officer of Vestas.
"We are pleased Vestas has chosen TPI as its outsourcing partner for its next-generation wind turbine, and we are excited to announce a significant expansion in China with a new world-class manufacturing operation for wind blades and wind blade tooling," said Steve Lockard, president and CEO of TPI Composites.
The V150-4.2 MW turbines' blades are 73.7 meters, or 242 feet, long, and they have the industry's tallest steel tower, according to Vestas.