GE wind turbines to power 88 MW Canadian wind farm

“Winning this deal with Suncor illustrates how our wind turbine power enhancement technologies are making a difference for our customers’ return on investment,” says Victor Abate, Vice President – Renewable Energy for GE Power & Water.

GE’s 1.6 MW wind turbine features 82.5 m and builds on GE’s 1.5 MW wind turbine, of which more than 14,000 units have been installed.

GE will deliver the 55 wind turbines to the site beginning in the second quarter of 2011. The project is owned jointly by Suncor (70%) and Teck Resources (30%).

GE’s 1.6-megawatt wind turbine makes use of a range of product features—including 82.5-meter blades—to maximize power output while providing superior control flexibility and increased reliability with decreased maintenance requirements. The technology builds on GE’s proven experience of its 1.5-megawatt turbine, the workhorse of the global wind energy industry with more than 14,000 units installed.

At peak operation, the Wintering Hills wind farm is expected to generate enough clean electricity to power approximately 35,000 Canadian homes.

The 88-megawatt Wintering Hills project is located near Drumheller, approximately 125 km (78 miles) northeast of Calgary. GE will deliver 55 of its advanced wind turbines to the site beginning in the second quarter of 2011. The project is owned jointly by Suncor (70%) and Teck Resources (30%).

“Alberta is rich in many resources that can be used to produce electricity, including wind energy,” said Keith Triginer, GE Energy’s newly appointed country executive for Canada. “We are working hand-inhand with Suncor and others to make wind and other alternative energy sources a larger, more integral part of the Province’s overall energy supply.”

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