Acciona wins 450 million euros wind power deal in Mexico totaling 306 MW

Acciona Energy has been selected for the construction and operation of three wind energy parks in Oaxaca state (Mexico). The 450 million euro (more than US$600) deal is for three wind farms totaling 306 MW. Construction work will get under way in 2010 and the parks – which will feature Acciona technology 1.5 MW wind turbines – are expected to come into operation in 2011. The deal accounts for 12.7% of the wind power implementation objective to 2013 envisaged in Acciona’s Strategic Plan.

In the Call for Tender by Mexico’s Federal Electricity Commission (CFE), Acciona beat rival bidders Iberdrola Renovables, Recursos Eólicos de México (ACS), and Enerfin Sociedad de Energía (part of the Elecnor group).

This new contract further cements Acciona’s leadership of Mexico’s wind power sector. The company has installations located in an area with excellent wind potential and which ensure a profitable return on investment in a country that stands among Acciona’s key markets, as stated in the company’s recently-presented Strategic Plan 2010-2013.

12.7% of wind power objective to 2013

Acciona already has one wind farm in operation in Mexico, the 250.5 MW Eurus facility – the largest wind power installation in Latin America in terms of installed capacity – , which delivers electricity to CEMEX cement production plants across the country. The Eurus facility is located in the same area as the newly awarded parks.

Acciona’s Strategic Plan envisages the construction of 2,400 MW of wind power over the period 2010-2013. The Mexican deals total 306 MW and represent 12.7% of this target worldwide.

Orders for Acciona Windpower wind turbines

The wind farms awarded through the CFE’s call for tender are Oaxaca II, Oaxaca III and Oaxaca IV (102 MW each), all of which will be located in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec region.

The deal involves orders for 204 Acciona Windpower AW 70/1500 wind turbines (a 1.5 MW model) which will be manufactured in the second half of this year. This will enable the Company to step up its wind turbine manufacturing activity considerably.

Construction work on the three facilities will get under way in the second half of 2010 and the parks are expected to be operating commercially by December 23rd 2011. According to CFE estimates, annual average output of the three wind parks will come to a total 1,129.3 GWh.

As well as marketing the energy produced at these facilities, these wind parks will be able to obtain and sell Emission Reduction Certificates, as Mexico is eligible for the Kyoto Protocol’s Clean Development Mechanisms.

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