Goldwind raises direct-drive wind turbines in mountainous terrain

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. ("Goldwind", SZ Stock Code: 002202, HK Stock Code: 2208), announced that it has completed the construction of its first large-scale high altitude wind farm project, which consists of 33 1.5MW Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) wind turbines with a total capacity of 49.5MW. This is another showcase of Goldwind’s objective to find and create value for customers, as well as its strong R&D capability.

The project is located at Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, the mountain area in southwest Mouding county, Chuxiong, Yunnan province. The wind farm is situated at 2000 to 2500 metres above sea level. According to specific geographic and climatic features, the GW82/1500 and GW77/1500 high altitude wind turbines were selected for the project.

In April this year, Goldwind’s first two high altitude 1.5 MW prototypes were successfully connected to the grid in Xi Tie Mountains of Qinghai Province and became operational. They have since maintained an impressive average availability rate of over 98.5%. According to the estimation based on a measured power curve, each unit can annually generate 2.8 million kWh, with an air density of 0.88 kg/m3 and an average wind speed of 6.5 m/s.

Goldwind’s high altitude wind turbines are customized for high altitude northwest and southwest regions where wind power is largely undeveloped. The turbines feature advanced technologies including larger blades, enhanced thermal insulation, and strengthened protection against lightning and radiation to withstand conditions of low air density, frequent strikes by lightning, strong radiation from the sun, and other challenging conditions of high altitude areas.

Goldwind is China’s first wind turbine manufacturer to develop low wind speed and high altitude wind turbines. It has already started the mass production of its PMDD low wind-speed, high altitude, low temperature and high-temperature series, and launched the offshore as well as tidal series with mass production capabilities.

Goldwind’s PMDD wind turbines are welcomed and recognized by clients for its low maintenance cost, strong low-voltage ride-through capability, high availability rate and high power generation efficiency.

Goldwind is the world’s largest PMDD wind turbines manufacturer and a leading wind power solutions provider that develops and sells wind turbines; provides "one-stop" services; and invests and develops wind farm plants.

Xinjiang Goldwind Science & Technology Co., Ltd. (Goldwind) is the second largest manufacturer of wind turbines in China, and the fourth largest globally. With strong R&D capabilities, the company is the world’s largest manufacturer of Permanent Magnet Direct Drive (PMDD) wind turbines, the industry’s next generation technology. Goldwind is listed on both the Shenzhen Stock Exchange (stock code: 002202) and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (stock code: 2208).

As of September 30, 2011, Goldwind’s accumulated sales capacity of wind turbine reached over 10 GW, equivalent to 8 million tons of coal saved per year, 19.95 million tons of carbon emissions reduced per year, or 10.93 million cubic meters of newly planted forest.

By José Santamarta, www.goldwindglobal.com