Wind Energy

Repower to supply 300 MW for Quebec wind energy plant

REpower Systems AG (WKN 617703) and the Saint-Laurent Énergies Consortium (SLE) have concluded a contract for the delivery of 150 wind turbines. The turbines have a total power of 300 MW and are destined for the Lac Alfred wind farm project in the Canadian province of Québec. In two phases, REpower will deliver, install and commission 54 MM82 wind turbines and 96 MM92 wind turbines. This contract thus marks the largest project of the company to date. REpower Systems AG has its headquarters in Hamburg (Germany) and Canadian offices in Montréal and Toronto.

REpower signed a framework agreement for up to 954 MW for wind farm projects in Québec with SLE co-owners EDF Energies Nouvelles and RES Canada in November 2009. The wind projects are being developed by SLE, a Montréal based wind energy company jointly owned by EDF EN Canada Inc. and RES Canada Inc. The signing of the contract for the Lac Alfred project, located around 400 kilometers to the North West of Québec City, marks the first call from this framework agreement. Andreas Nauen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of REpower Systems AG: “This is our largest project to date and a further milestone in REpower’s international business and the North American market, a market which is important for us. We want to carry out many more projects in Canada and this is a market in which we can make the most of the advantages of our technology.”

Lac Alfred will be installed in two phases: the first 75 turbines are to be commissioned by December 2012, while the remaining 75 turbines will enter operation in 2013. Turbines from the MM series with a hub height of 80 meters and a rated power of 2 megawatts (MW) each will be used. Matthias Schubert, Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at REpower Systems AG explains: “We have adapted our turbines to the demanding grid conditions in Canada and use special cold climate versions (CCV). These turbines have been designed for the humid Canadian weather with heavy temperature fluctuations, and have already proven themselves in test projects in Québec.”

In accordance with the tender conditions of Hydro-Québec, REpower will generate at least 30% of the added value on the wind turbines in the Gaspésie-Îles-de-la-Madeleine region and the Matane regional county municipality. Contracts have been concluded with local component suppliers for blades, towers and converters for this purpose.

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