Vestas has signed a wind power order for a total capacity of 24 MW for the Greneville wind farm, which will be located in the northeast of Orleans in the Région Centre, one of the regions with the best wind resources in France and a current total wind generating capacity of 540 MW.
The wind energy project, consisting of eight units of the V112-3.0 MW wind turbine, will be the first wind power plant to be installed in France with the V112, one of Vestas’ latest and most technologically advanced products.
The contract comprises supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as a 10-year service and maintenance AOM 4000 (Active Output Management) agreement with a production-based availability warranty.
The order has been placed by VSB Energies Nouvelles, a French developer of renewable energy projects. Delivery of the wind turbines is expected to start in Q4 2012 and the project is expected to be completed by the end of 2012.
Emmanuel Macqueron, President of VSB Energies Nouvelles says: “We have been working with Vestas for several years and they have proven to be a strong and reliable technology partner, who has been able to support us through the entire process offering us confidence and business case certainty. We are glad to have them on board for this new project.”
Nicolas Wolff, General Manager, Vestas France: “This is an important milestone, as it is the first commercial wind power plant to be installed with this technology not only in France, but also in the Mediterranean region. Vestas’ focus on constant innovation and applying of new technological solutions has resulted in increased performance of our V112-3.0 MW turbine and a lower cost of energy – ensuring a top-quality business case that generates a solid return on investment for VSB and our customers in general.”
Juan Araluce, President of Vestas Mediterranean concludes: “We are pleased to sign this order with VSB, which demonstrates the trust that our customer has in the V112-3.0 MW turbine. Having previously delivered more than 60 MW to VSB, our close relationship has produced successful business results, and we look forward to supporting our customer in maximising the output of our V112-3.0 MW on this specific project.”
The Greneville wind power plant will produce approx 71,000, MWh per year, which corresponds to an annual emission saving of approx 24,900 tons of CO2 compared with average EU electricity. Furthermore, it will provide enough electricity to cover the annual residential electricity consumption of close to 45,000 persons in France.
About Vestas
Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 44,500 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by approx 50 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Today, Vestas has installed turbines in 66 countries, and for our own operations alone, we provide jobs for over 20,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world.
As of 30 June 2011, Vestas has delivered to the French market a total capacity of more than 1,250 MW, including 200 MW to the Région Centre. Vestas has commercial offices in Paris and Montpellier and a network of seven service and maintenance centres around the country to ensure the highest availability and production of our wind power plants. Today, Vestas employs more than 200 employees in France.
