Vestas's mega turbine takes another step with provisional certification

By Ole Mikkelsen

COPENHAGEN, Dec 2 (Reuters) - Plans by Denmark's Vestas Wind Systems to build the largest-ever commercial wind turbine took a step closer reality on Tuesday after the project won provisional certification from a Norwegian classification group widely recognised in the maritime sector.

The turbine, being developed for offshore sites with Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Other OTC: MHVYF - news) (MHI), could transform the prospects of Vestas, the world's largest wind turbine maker by revenue, as it battles back from a slump in its fortunes marked by a slew of profit warnings.

Danish utility Dong Energy has already signed an order for 32 of the giant machines, the 164 metre diameter of whose blades is bigger even than the 120 metre-wide London Eye tourist attraction, helping engender a new optimism around Vestas's prospects.

The V164-8.0 megawatt turbine which has received so-called B certification from Det Norske Veritas (DNV) in October set a world record for wind energy production, generating 192,000 kilowatts an hour in a 24 hour period, enough to power about 13,500 households.

The DNV certification shows the machine meets standards for design, testing and manufacturing but full implementation still requires relatively minor issues to be addressed before full type A certification is granted.

Chief Technology Officer Torben Hvid Larsen said he expected these to be met by the first quarter of 2015.

Vestas shares jumped as much as 17 percent in November after the company raised its 2014 earnings forecasts on the back of a stronger than expected performance in the three months to the end of September.

DONG said in January it wants to use the V164 turbines for the Burbo Bank Extension offshore wind farm off the English west coast.

Vestas shares traded up 4.1 percent at 226.8 Danish crowns by 1603 GMT, bouncing from a four-day setback after the stock rose to a near three-month high. (Editing by David Holmes)