GE (NYSE: GE) will supply 38 wind turbines for four wind energy projects in construction in Northern Poland. When operational, these projects, referred to collectively as Darlowo Wind Energy Center–Phase Two (Darlowo–Phase Two), will mark the first use of GE’s 2.5-megawatt class wind turbines that feature 103-meter rotors for high productivity in Poland.
Invenergy Wind LLC (Invenergy) and Polish development company Enerco sp. z o.o. (Enerco) are collaborating to develop nine wind energy generation projects in the region in and around Darlowo, near the Baltic Sea. GE provided 32 wind turbines for Darlowo–Phase One, which was fully commissioned in March 2011 and today produces 80 megawatts of power. Darlowo–Phase One is comprised of the Weikowice, Jezyce and Dobies?aw projects.
Darlowo–Phase Two, comprised of the Boryszewo, Krupy, Stary Jaros?aw and Nowy Jaros?aw facilities, will bring the total installed capacity of wind energy in the Dar?owo area to 175 megawatts.
Darlowo–Phase Three will consist of two additional projects–Gorzyca and Pekanino–which currently are under contract. These sites will boost the aggregate output of the nine Darlowo projects to 250 megawatts.
"The Darlowo Wind Energy Center is a wonderful example of Poland embracing the economic and environmental benefits of its wind energy resources," said Michael Polsky, president and chief executive officer of Invenergy. "Wind energy is playing an increasingly important role in helping Poland meet its commitments to the European Union with regard to green energy generation."
GE’s 2.5 series wind turbines offer high efficiency and reliability for a broad range of wind conditions. Built on the proven performance of GE’s 1.5-megawatt wind turbine, the world’s most widely deployed machine in the wind industry with more than 16,500 units installed worldwide, the 2.5-megawatt wind turbines with a 103-meter rotor will help the Darlowo projects provide increased energy capacity while maintaining required levels of efficiency, reliability and grid-connection capabilities.
"Darlowo is the result of outstanding regional collaboration between Invenergy and GE," said Stephan Ritter, general manager of GE’s renewable energy business in Europe. "Due to the scale of the project, we are establishing a service center in Darlowo to ensure the long-term reliability and performance of our wind turbines."
The wind turbines for the Darlowo–Phase Two will be assembled at GE’s facility in Salzbergen, Germany. Commercial operation of the turbines is to commence in the fourth quarter of 2012.
Invenergy and its affiliated companies develop, own and operate large-scale renewable and other clean energy generation facilities in North America and Europe. Invenergy is committed to clean power alternatives and continued innovation in electricity generation. Invenergy’s home office is located in Chicago with regional development offices located throughout the United States, Canada and Europe.
As the nation’s largest independent wind power generation company, Invenergy and its affiliated companies currently have over 6,600 MW of wind power, solar energy and thermal projects under contract, in construction or in operation.
Wind power in Poland
1997: 2 MW
1998: 5 MW (+150 %)
1999: 5 MW (- %)
2000: 5 MW (- %)
2001: 22 MW (+340 %)
2002: 28 MW (+27.3 %)
2003: 58 MW (+107.2 %)
2004: 58 MW (- %)
2005: 73 MW (+25.9 %)
2006: 153 MW (+109.6 %)
2007: 276 MW (+80.4 %)
2008: 472 MW (+71.1 %)
2009: 725 MW (+53.7 %)
2010: 1,180 MW (+62.8 %)
2011: 1,616 MW (+37 %)
By José Santamarta, www.ge.com
