Vestas Announces Flurry of Turbine Orders
Vestas Wind Systems A/S announced a flurry of wind turbine orders to mark the end of the third quarter last week, with orders from the United States, India, Europe, and Latin America totaling 463 megawatts.
Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vestas Wind Systems A/S announced on September 29, the last business day of the third quarter, eight separate wind turbine orders that amounted to 463 MW (megawatts), including a 174 MW order from MidAmerican Energy for part of its massive 2 GW (gigawatt) Wind XI project being developed in Iowa. In total, the orders will be shipped to the United States, India, Argentina, Mexico, and three projects in Italy.
The largest order was the 174 MW order for the MidAmerican Energy Wind XI project being developed in Iowa. Vestas will manufacture turbines at its Colorado factories and will begin delivery in the second quarter of 2018.
“The historic Wind XI project will harness low-cost wind energy for MidAmerican Energy’s customers, all while enhancing the reliability and resiliency of the grid,” said Chris Brown, President of Vestas’ sales and service division in the United States and Canada. “Vestas is proud to deliver its industry leading technology to this project that will generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic benefits, including landowner lease payments, tax payments, and long-term secure jobs.”
Vestas will also provide 40 MW to Atria Brindavan Power Private Limited in India for the first phase of the Basavane Bagewadi Wind Farm in the Bijapur district of Karnataka state, which expected delivery and commissioning expected for the first quarter of 2018.
“India is a key market for Vestas and this order underlines the 2 MW platform’s high versatility, which together with Vestas’ strong service set-up makes it a great fit for the Indian market,” explained Clive Turton, President of Vestas Asia Pacific. “We look forward to deliver a top-performing wind energy power plant together with Atria Power.”
Argentinan Parques Eólicos Vientos del Sur S.A., a subsidiary of Grupo Frali S.A., placed an order with Vestas for 40 MW worth of wind turbines as part of Argentina’s RenovAr 1.5 auction, which will go to the La Banderita wind park in the City of General Acha, Province of La Pampa, Argentina. Delivery is planned for the third quarter of 2018 which will be followed by commissioning in the first quarter of 2019.
“We welcome Argentina’s strong bet on the development of wind energy and we are pleased to have taken part in this process since the very beginning,” said Marco Graziano, President of Vestas Mediterranean. “In less than a year, Vestas has consolidated its leadership in the country with orders for close to 700 MW. Almost half of this order intake has derived from the last two RenovAr auctions, showcasing our strengths and capabilities in auctions. This new accomplishment clearly underlines our customers’ trust and confidence in our solutions, people and expertise.”
The company also received an order stemming from the second Mexico renewable auction last year, an order for 93 MW worth of wind turbines for a wind park in the Northeastern state of Tamaulipas, Mexico. Delivery is expected for the third quarter of 2018 and commissioning its planned for some time in 2019.
Finally, four separate orders for Italy were announced by Vestas last week, totalling 118 MW.
Vestas will provide 38 MW across two smaller projects, the Taverna Caduta (23 MW) and San Mauro (15 MW) projects, both of which were among the winning projects in the Italian energy auction held in November of last year. Vestas will also provide 38 MW to the Monteverde wind park to be installed in Avellino province in the south of Italy being developed by Tozzi Sud S.P.A. Finally, Vestas will also provide 40 MW to the Lavello wind park being developed by Bel Lavello Vigi, a joint venture between Belenergia, mostly active in Italy, and Langa/Rgreen Invest, a leading French operator.
