News Archive January 2016

120 megawatts (MW) to be installed at two new wind farms in Franche-Comté region / Contract with Velocita Energies includes 43 wind turbines plus full services agreement / Deal calls for GE’s largest installation of 2.75-120 technology anywhere in Europe

Europe: Paris climate deal shows energy transition commitment towards wind power

The European Wind Energy Association greatly welcomes the UN climate change agreement struck in Paris on Saturday 12 December.

American wind power just passed the 70 gigawatt (GW) mark, meaning enough wind turbine capacity is now installed to supply over 19 million typical American homes with low-cost electricity.

UK: Vestas receives 110 MW order for upgraded 3 MW platform

SSE Ltd. has placed an order for the Bhlaraidh wind farm, highlighting the competitiveness of Vestas’ 3 MW platform in the UK.

China: Vestas receives 50 MW order

Long-term Vestas customer Hanas Group has placed an order for 25 V110-2.0 MW turbines for a wind park in Western China.

US: Gamesa lands contract to supply 30 MW to a wind farm under development and maintain it for 12 years

The company will install 14 of its G114-2.1 MW model at phase two of the Big Turtle wind farm located in Michigan state.

Wales: Vattenfall looks back on a successful 2015 at Pen y Cymoedd

Fantastic progress continues at England and Wales’ largest onshore wind farm

Poland: ACCIONA starts up its third wind farm

The 30 MW capacity Poniec II facility means that the company has installed over 100 MW in the country / The wind farm has ten AW116/3000 turbines with ACCIONA Windpower technology

Under the terms of the agreement, EDF Renewable Services will provide remote services performed by the company’s NERC registered Operations Control Center (OCC).

Russia: Fortum starts a 35 MW wind farm project

Fortum is starting a wind farm project in Ulyanovsk, Russia with a total capacity of 35 MW.

Greece: Vestas receives 40 MW order

Vestas will deliver 12 V112-3.3 MW wind turbines for the Lyrkio wind farm to be located in the Greek Peloponnese region.

Finland: Vestas receives its first order for the new V136-3.45 MW

The order for a 117 MW wind project in Finland affirms the high expectations for the V136-3.45 MW turbine, which was launched in September 2015.

Costa Rica: Gamesa and Iberdrola Ingeniería to build four wind farms with total capacity of 80 MW

The two companies will handle all the construction and commissioning phases required for four 20-MW wind farms.

The 112 MW power plant will be able to produce over 295 GWh each year once fully operational / Enel Green Power will invest approximately 215 million US dollars in the construction of Sierra Gorda

Ireland: IWEA Welcomes Publication of Government’s Energy White Paper

The Irish Wind Energy Association has welcomed the launch of the Energy White Paper entitled “Ireland's Transition to a Low Carbon Energy Future 2015-2030”.

China Longyuan Power Group Corporation Limited had 2,196.5 MW wind power projects newly put into operation in 2015, which are distributed among 16 provinces of China.

South Korea: Vestas wins 76 MW project

Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for 22 V112-3.45 MW turbines from Hanwha E&C, one of the largest development and construction firms in Korea.

Netherlands: FoundOcean Completes Grouting for Gemini Wind Farm

FoundOcean has successfully completed the grouting of foundations at Gemini Wind Farm on behalf of the main contractor, Van Oord.

Montana-Dakota Utilities today announced it has completed the purchase of Thunder Spirit Wind from ALLETE Clean Energy. Montana-Dakota is a division of MDU Resources Group Inc.

Germany: Aegon invests €45 million in German wind park

Aegon Asset Management (AAM) has invested €45 million in an offshore wind farm as part of its commitment to a low carbon energy future.

US: New year blows in lower prices and wind energy for Gulf Power customers

Two things Gulf Power customers can celebrate are a new price decrease and an addition to the utility’s renewable portfolio — wind generation.

US: Westar Energy expands wind energy with Kingman Wind farm

Project will bring over $400 million investment, payments to local area.

A 24% stake in the 235 MW Chisholm View wind farm and a 24% stake in the 200 MW Prairie Rose wind farm have been sold to GE Energy Financial Services for a total amount of approx. 74 million US dollars

Traditionally, the beginning of a new year marks the time for a look back and ahead: What went well, what's bad, what can be improved in the future? Such statistics and balance sheets are usually published as raw numbers to inform the public. It is left to the media to analyze and classify the information. This may lead to significant differences in interpretation as the example of wind energy in Germany shows these days.

Thailand: Formosa 1 in planning

A2SEA is currently planning the installation of two foundations and two Siemens 4MW turbines on the Taiwanese project Formosa 1. The installation will start in June 2016.

Brazil: Development of one of the largest wind power clusters with a 1.2 GW potential capacity

“This cluster reflects Voltalia’s ambitions and confirms its position as a leading international renewable power producer in Brazil."

Poland: Gamesa sells a 24 MW wind farm

Gamesa will provide the facility's operation and maintenance services for a period of fifteen years.

GE‘s LV3 wind converters to become one of the key components of Sewind’s offshore wind turbines, with a total installed capacity of 1GW / The LV3 converters will be manufactured in China for China, deepening GE’s commitment to the region

Scotland: Siemens secures 53MW wind order

Siemens to supply 23 SWT-2.3-93 onshore wind turbines / 20-year service agreement included

US: Turning to the Wind

Wind power continues to grow as a source of clean energy across America. The United States generated 26 times more electricity from wind power in 2014 than it did in 2001.

Turkey: TPI and Vestas Sign Wind Blade Supply Agreement

“We look forward to providing cost-effective, high-quality wind blades to Vestas and its customers for the wind markets in Europe, Middle East, and Africa.”

US: Vaisala Paves the Way for Southeastern Wind Development

Measurement expert joins forces with Southeastern Wind Coalition (SEWC) for 12-month study to gauge unexploited regional wind potential

SSE plc and Coillte have jointly completed financing for €176m for the construction of the second and final stage of Galway Wind Park. The financing deal is the largest-ever for a single wind energy asset in Ireland.

Global: The Reference is coming

First Presentation of a new class of Weather Sensor at Annual Meeting of the American Meteorological Society

UK: Renewable energy record achieved at London Array

London Array has set a new record for the amount of clean electricity produced by an offshore wind farm in a single calendar month.

The multinational power company has registered 12 facilities that will produce 70 MW in Gran Canaria, Fuerteventura and Tenerife.

Germany: WKN wind farm sold to CEE

German wind farm Westerengel to be commissioned in 2016

France: Senvion wins orders for 74 megawatts from RES for two wind projects

Senvion, one of the world’s biggest wind turbine manufacturers, has successfully contracted 74 megawatts (MW) with RES for two wind projects in France.

Germany: CFO Bernard Schäferbarthold to leave Nordex SE by end of 2016 for family reasons

Chief Financial Officer will not extend contract beyond 31 December 2016

EEW Special Pipe Constructions GmbH received the or der from Nobelwind NV (Belgium) to manufacture 50 Monopiles and one Monopile foundation for the Substation for the Offshore Windpark Nobelwind (formerly Bligh Bank).

Siemens to supply and service 122 wind turbines for Western Plains wind power plant in Kansas / 280-megawatt onshore wind power project to be located in Ford County

Moventas, the leading wind gearbox manufacturer and service provider, is now offering revolutionary new up-tower repair capability to its customers in North America.

The business case for offshore wind farms relies on accurate wind resource assessments. Today, the most accurate wind data are generated using offshore meteorological masts, which are very expensive.

Danske Commodities, an independent Danish energy service company, announced today that it had signed a 15-year Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Limited (BOWL).

During the visit, Ricardo Chocarro, CEO for EMEA, confirmed Gamesa's plans to add a third production line at the As Somozas complex.

Progress in wind energy leads clean energy sector

The US President talked about progress in his state of union, including in clean energy. The AWEA weighs in.

Urgent Notice: Inspection notice BEAMTAC AP-017

Due to recent events, please inspect your BEAMTAC (Art. No. AP-017, Batch No. 225376 to 254052) as described in attached manual.

EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) announced today that the 150 megawatt (MW) Slate Creek Wind Project in Kansas reached commercial operation on December 29, 2015.

Global: Gestamp Wind incorporates 152 megawatts into operation

Belgium, Poland and Brazil, are the countries where Gestamp Wind has set into operation 7 new wind farms that have meant an investment of 170 million euros

The first international community wind event of the year 2016 is approaching - the World Wind Energy Association and LEE NRW invite you cordially to the following symposium.

Germany: Hamburg Messe and EWEA team up for added value

WindEnergy Hamburg and EWEA Annual Conference to be held in parallel up to and including 2020

Germany: RWE aims to continue growth in renewables

RWE Innogy on track to achieve earnings targets / Entry to new markets planned / Photovoltaics to become new segment alongside wind and hydro

CG equipment will maintain overall security of electricity supply / Further recognition of CG’s strong position in the offshore industry / Kriegers Flak wind farm will provide renewable energy to 600,000 households in Denmark, Sweden and Germany

Africa: Renewable energy can compete at market price

Developing adequate power supply for Africa is one of the great challenges of our time.

Scotland should set an ambitious new target of generating the equivalent of 50% of its total electricity, heat and transport demand from renewables by 2030, according to industry body Scottish Renewables.

Natural Power has released the results of its latest validation study – an evaluation of North American pre-construction wind energy yield predictions by comparison to operational production – demonstrating 99.1% accuracy for project analysis.

Mexico: SgurrEnergy moves into Mexico

SgurrEnergy has boosted its presence in the Americas by opening an office in Mexico City.

Watson Farley & Williams has advised a consortium of 10 lenders, led by Banco Santander, on the €528m financial restructuring of Olivento, Spain’s largest onshore wind portfolio with a total capacity of 422MW.

Canada: Wind energy continues rapid growth in 2015

2015 was another remarkable year for wind energy in Canada.

China was the world’s leading market across a number of renewable energy technologies in 2015 and helped to drive global renewable installed capacity to an estimated 913.48 Gigawatts (GW), says research and consulting firm GlobalData.

Nordex has obtained a new order for the construction of a 35 MW wind farm in Ireland. The company will be installing a total of 12 turbines to Glencarbry wind farm for its customer John Laing Investments.

2015 was also the highest ever for installation of renewable power capacity, with 64GW of wind and 57GW of solar PV commissioned during the year, an increase of nearly 30% over 2014.

Texas used to be THE oil state for several decades. Our image of the US state was dominated by cigar-smoking, conservative oil magnates with cowboy hats, watching their wealth grow as oil made the coffers ring. Nowadays, this is, at best, a reminder of the TV series 'Dallas', because in recent years, Texas has changed from an oil state to a forefront state of renewable energy.

On 1st January 2016 SeaRoc Group, experts in offshore renewable energy since 2002, moved into its fourth operational year on EDF Energy Renewables’ (EDF ER) Teesside offshore wind farm.

The Project has been acquired from the developer Pioneer Green Energy / The wind farm, consisting of thirty-one AW3000 turbines, will enter service in the fourth trimester of 2016

The Greystone Infrastructure Fund is pleased to announce its acquisition of a 51% equity interest in the 24.2 MW Ballycadden Wind Farm Ltd. located in southeastern Ireland from a private equity fund managed by UK-based Impax Asset Management Group PLC.

The company has received two new orders for the supply of a total of 98 MW in China / The first order entails the supply of 24 G90-2.0 MW turbines (48 MW) at the Cangfang wind farm, which is 3,400 metres above sea level

In December 2015 Nordex signed contracts with its long-standing customer Bilgin Enerji for four projects with a total volume of 100 MW. All of the 33 turbines ordered belong to the Delta series, the latest product fleet Nordex is offering on the market.

SgurrEnergy has been appointed by Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult to operate and maintain the recently acquired Levenmouth 7MW demonstration offshore wind turbine, located just 50m off the East Fife coast.

The offshore wind industry in East Anglia is again at the forefront of innovation, following the successful installation of a pioneering floating wind monitoring device in ScottishPower Renewables’ East Anglia ONE windfarm zone.

In 2015, Danish wind turbines generated what corresponds to 42 per cent of the Danes’ electricity consumption. In Jutland and on Funen, wind power, in fact, supplied more electricity than the total consumption for 1,460 hours of the year.

MPI Offshore is pleased to announce wind-turbine-installation vessel (WTIV) MPI Resolution has been contracted by RWE for the removal of the IJmuiden Met Mast.

The Drift Sand wind project, located in Oklahoma, will have a total installed capacity of 108 MW / Construction of Drift Sand requires a total investment of approximately 180 million US dollars

Germany: Senvion strengthens management team: Christoph Seyfarth to join as new COO

Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, will have a new COO as of February 2016.

Global: Scaling Up Renewables - Taking Climate Action to the Next Level

Thought leaders discuss renewable energy solutions, innovation and action at fourth annual IRENA Financial Times event

UK: Record production at Sheringham Shoal

Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm produced more than 170 GWh in December last year. This is a monthly generation record for the wind farm

HiDef Aerial Surveying is delighted to confirm that it has been delivering extreme high resolution video marine mammal and bird surveys to Hexicon AB since January 2015, in support of Hexicon’s application for consent for the Dounreay Tri Demonstrator project.

Suzlon secures another order from National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) / Installation of 24 units of S97-90 m tubular tower with rated capacity of 2.1MW each / Also to offer operation and maintenance service for an initial period of 10 years

WISE Power -- an EU-funded project -- is launching an online tool for onshore wind farm developers and industry stakeholders to engage with local communities on permitting and planning of wind sites.

Germany: SKF offers new Lincoln electrically driven lubricator

SKF recently announced the introduction of the Lincoln electrically driven lubricator (EDL1).

In the latest in a series of green energy partnerships, Ecotricity, Britain’s leading green energy company, has installed a new wind turbine with H+H in Pollington,Yorkshire.

Global: BayWa r.e. Choose Breeze for Wind Farm Management

Germany based BayWa r.e. has chosen the Breeze system for wind farm management. This marks the largest German wind portfolio to be installed in Breeze to date.

US: Pattern Energy Completes 150 MW Amazon Wind Farm in Indiana

Grows portfolio to 16 operational wind facilities with a total owned capacity of 2,282 MW

Denmark: They break turbine blades at Risø

Experiments run in a test hall on DTU Risø Campus demonstrate when, where and how turbine blades break.

As part of its local production strategy, Vestas has inaugurated its hub and nacelle factory in Aquiraz, Brazil, at a ceremony attended by the Governor of Ceará, Camilo Santana, and key stakeholders from the Brazilian wind energy sector.

The fact that the auction was isolated (there is no calendar for further calls) and small-sized (only 500 MW) in a context where the sector has been paralyzed for several years due to the green moratorium has caused an unexpected result.

Poland: Vestas receives its first order in Poland in 2016

Vestas continues its momentum in Poland with a 56 MW order placed by Energix Renewable Energies Ltd. for the extension of the Kozielice wind park.

Offshore marine and engineering consultancy Aqualis Offshore, part of Oslo-listed Aqualis ASA, has been contracted by Petrofac to perform technical support services for its work on the BorWin gamma topside that is destined for the North Sea.

Germany: Vestas to acquire Germany-based independent service provider Availon

The acquisition strengthens Vestas’ capabilities to service a broad range of wind turbine technologies.

The innovative ferry MS “Helgoland” from the shipping company Cassen Eils in Cuxhaven was successfully put into operation in December. The EMS Maritime Offshore GmbH (EMO) was of great assistance in ensuring that the process ran smoothly.

Last year, the offshore wind energy in Germany has come to full swing. In the previous years, problems with the connection of cables to the mainland repeatedly caused delays, but by now such issues belong to the past. In 2015 a new offshore record was set: Turbines with a capacity of 2.282,4MW were connected to the grid, and the number of erected turbines rose from 135 at the end of 2014 to 738 at the end of 2015, according to the Federal Maritime and Hydrographic Agency of Germany (BSH).

wpd AG is making final preparations for starting the offshore construction of the new offshore wind project Nordergründe. Groundbreaking is set for spring 2016 with the commissioning being scheduled for the end of this year.

IKEA has signed an Acquisition Agreement with the wind power company, OX2, for 13 wind turbines in Kemi, northern Finland. This is IKEA’s first wind power investment in the Finnish market, and the companies’ fourth joint project.

India: Gamesa receives three new orders for the supply of 130 MW

The company will build two wind farms, with capacity of 50 MW and 30 MW, under turnkey agreements / It has also been selected to supply 50 MW to a third project

US: GE Announces 1.4 Gigawatts of December Wind Orders

Flurry of recent onshore wind deals highlight continued global expansion of GE Renewable Energy / Contracts include more than 20 wind farms across seven different countries

Once completed, Delfina will have an installed capacity of 180 MW and will be able to generate more than 800 GWh per year / EGP will be investing approximately 400 million US dollars in the construction of the new wind farm

Wind energy can be converted into methane gas and stored in the Danish natural gas grid. As an added bonus, the biogas plants eliminate their carbon emissions using a new method that has been tested in a recently completed project.

Thorough certification process confirms full compliance with IEC-61400-22 standard, assuring the safety and reliability of pioneering new offshore turbine

US: RES Announces Sale of the Bluestem Wind Project to Exelon Generation

Power purchase agreement has been finalized with Google

UK: E.ON to no longer progress with the Isles Wind Farm project

After careful consideration E.ON has made the decision not to progress with the proposed Isles Wind Farm project near Newton Aycliffe.

The Army is expected to pay about $168 million less than what it would pay for power from the traditional electricity grid over the course of the 28-year agreement.

UK: Gardline Sea Trial New 23m Classed Vessel

Gardline are pleased to announce their new 23m vessel will be undergoing sea trials in Great Yarmouth this week prior to her launch.

Envision Energy, a leading global supplier of smart energy solutions, has announced the establishment of its Global Blade Innovation Center in Boulder, Colorado.

Whilst undertaking detailed seabed scanning for the development of windfarm projects in the East Anglia Zone, off the coast of Norfolk and Suffolk, windfarm developers ScottishPower Renewables and Vattenfall uncovered something they weren’t expecting...

Spain: Spain’s 500MW wind auction inadequate. Government risks missing 2020 renewables target

Spain’s 500MW wind power auction last week was too small to satisfy demand and the country risks missing its 2020 target for renewables.

After seven years of promoting the benefits of adding wind energy to the U.S. electricity mix, the Governors’ Wind Energy Coalition announced today it will pair its advocacy work for wind with work for solar energy as well.

Lithuania: Lietuvos energija expands its operations by acquiring two wind parks

Lietuvos energija acquired two companies managing wind parks in Lithuania and Estonia – UAB Eurakras and Tuulueenergia OU.

Rampion Offshore Wind Limited has announced that the project remains on schedule with the installation of the first turbine foundation due to start this week, despite adverse weather conditions disrupting enabling works to prepare the seabed.

Global: China Is Ranked a Booming Market for Wind Capacity Growth

With global variation in policies, wind energy industry manufacturers and developers must be flexible in order to thrive

Dounreay Trì Limited was created by the Swedish design and engineering company Hexicon AB for the sole purpose of demonstrating Hexicon’s semi-submersible foundation for offshore wind power, off Dounreay, Scotland.

Sweden: The first decommission in the world of an offshore wind farm is now complete

Vattenfall's Yttre Stengrund wind farm has disappeared from the horizon in Kalmar Sound, Sweden.

EDF Renewable Energy has signed an agreement to supply Salesforce with 24 megawatts (MW) of wind energy from its Salt Fork Wind Project in Texas.

Nordex has signed a frame contract with the Finnish asset management company Taaleritehdas. The companies have agreed on the delivery of 72 N131/3000 turbines for six projects in 2016 and 2017.

As part of its expansion in India, EDF Energies Nouvelles is moving into onshore wind energy by acquiring a 50% stake in SITAC Wind Management and Development, an Indian wind energy company.

Scotland: Mainstream announces equity consortium ready to take £2 billion Scottish Offshore wind farm to construction

Offshore wind farm set to spend £1.1billion in Scotland and create more than 600 jobs

Tahkoluoto offshore wind farm with a capacity of 40 megawatts / 10 Siemens wind turbines and service / Project to demonstrate offshore feasibility in the Northern Baltic Sea region

Duke Energy Renewables, a commercial business unit of Duke Energy, ended 2015 with a flurry, completing its 110-megawatt (MW) Los Vientos V Windpower Project in Starr County, Texas.

Denmark: SEA WORKER evacuated – all crew safe and sound

The night between 26th and 27th January 2016, 15 crew members on board SEA WORKER were evacuated. Nobody was hurt and all is safely rescued ashore.

DONG Energy has decided to keep E&P as part of the planned IPO. Going forward, the cash flows from E&P will be part of funding DONG Energy’s investments in renewable energy

US: 14-state study - Billions in benefits from adding more electric power transmission

Fuel cost savings alone totaled $240 million in the first year, from power line upgrades between 2012 and 2014, the study found.

Germany: Nordex gains market shares in Germany

In 2015, the Nordex Group outdid its previous installation record in Germany.

RE100 companies are on average half way towards meeting their 100% renewable electricity goals, a new RE100 report published by The Climate Group and CDP shows. Launched at ClimateWeekNYC 2014, RE100 is a global campaign working with the world’s most influential businesses on their journeys to becoming 100% powered by renewables.

Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, has commissioned 14 of its two-megawatt (MW) turbines for a second wind farm around the city of Nowy Staw, which is located about 50 kilometres south-east of Gda?sk.

Spain: The Spanish wind power sector installs zero megawatts in 2015, an unknown situation since the 80's

The year 2015 has closed as the darkest in the history of wind energy in Spain, with zero megawatts installed.

Global: Scaling up Renewable Energy in the GCC Would Reap Major Benefits

Region would cut water use 16%, reduce carbon footprint 8%, create 200,000 jobs and save 400 million barrels of oil in 2030

Take advantage of the new Cargo Run tool from GRS to request and book cargo transportation online, thus cutting time and costs considerably.

Leading Renewable Energy Producer Partners with the Multinational Technology Company to Reduce Emissions Through Wind Power / Agreement Brings Invenergy’s Corporate Customer Wind Portfolio to 570 MW

The American wind industry installed 5,001 megawatts (MW) during the fourth quarter of 2015, more installations than in all of 2014, according to data released by the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) today.

UK: Petrofac and GE Support Galloper Offshore Wind Farm to Bring Clean Energy to United Kingdom

Contract award of more than £110 million to build onshore and offshore electrical substations

Scotland: Gamesa contracted to supply 52 MW to ScottishPower Renewables for two developments

The company will install 35 G52-850 kW turbines at the Hare Hill wind farm and 11 of its G90-2.0 MW turbines at the Glen App development.

Clean renewable energy for approximately 125,000 Irish households / Siemens to supply 36 SWT-3.0-101 and 20 SWT-3.2-101 direct drive wind turbines / 15-year service agreements included in both orders

Long-term Vestas customer, Eolus Vind AB, has placed a firm and unconditional order for eight V126-3.3 MW wind turbines, confirming the competitive cost of energy of the Vestas 3 MW platform in the Swedish market.

Gerdau, Sumitomo Corporation and The Japan Steel Works (JSW) announce their intention to form a joint venture in Pindamonhangaba, São Paulo for the manufacture of parts made from special steels for the wind power industry, which enjoys excellent growth potential in Brazil.

InfraRed Capital Partners and OPTrust have completed the sale of two FiT-accredited operational wind farms, Standford Hill and Oakdale, to Resonance British Wind Energy Income Limited, a Guernsey based closed-ended investment company.

US: EDF Renewable Energy Announces Commercial Operation of Milo Wind Project

EDF Renewable Energy (EDF RE) announced that the 49.65 megawatt (MW) Milo Wind Project in New Mexico reached commercial operation on January 21, 2016.