Wind Energy

REpower to supply wind turbines for first wind farm in Alaska

REpower Systems SE (WKN 617703) has concluded a wind energy contract with Golden Valley Electric Association (GVEA) for the delivery of a total of 12 wind turbines. The wind turbines are destined for the Eva Creek Wind Power Project near the community of Ferry, for what will become the largest wind energy project in Alaska to date. The wind farm will generate a total output of 24.6 megawatts (MW). This will also be the first project with REpower turbines in Alaska.

The Eva Creek project will use 12 of REpower’s Cold Climate Version (CCV) MM92 turbines, each with a rated power of 2.05 megawatts (MW) and a hub height of 78.5 metres. They are specifically designed for the harsh Alaskan climate. Commissioning of the wind farm is scheduled for fall 2012.

Andreas Nauen, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of REpower Systems SE, comments: “This project demonstrates REpower’s core competency in supplying extreme cold climate capable turbine technology. Our Cold Climate Version of the successful two-megawatt-series has been designed for sites with heavy temperature fluctuations and humid weather, and has already proven itself in projects in Québec, Canada and in Inner Mongolia, China. ”

Eva Creek is the first project between GVEA and the German-based wind turbine manufacturer. Steve Dayney, Managing Director of REpower USA, states: “We are happy to be working with the team of GVEA for the first time and proud to install our first REpower turbines in Alaska. Eva Creek once again showcases our powerful turbine plant technology is well suited for all climatic conditions in the United States.”

REpower USA Corp., headquartered in Denver, Colorado, has now installed or sold more than 400 wind turbines with a total power of more than 800 MW in the USA. Wind farms with REpower turbines have been constructed or installed in the states of Washington, Oregon, California, Michigan, Indiana, New York and now Alaska to a diverse group of customers.

Golden Valley Electric Association is a member-owned cooperative owning and operating five power plants that provide power to nearly 100,000 Interior residents. According to GVEA, the 24.6 megawatts project Eva Creek will meet its board’s renewable energy pledge of having 20 percent of the system’s peak load generated by renewable resources by 2014.

By José Santamarta, www.evwind.com