Nordex USA, Inc. announced two new orders from wind farm developer RPM Access, LLC for their Hawkeye Wind Farm in Fayette County and Rippey Wind Farm in Green County. The new orders for 35 N100/2500 increase Nordex’ capacity in Iowa to 130 MW, enough to generate electricity for 39,000 homes.
The power from the two new wind farms has been purchased by Central Iowa Power Cooperative under a long term agreement. They will join the company’s Elk Wind Farm in Delaware County where installation and commissioning of 17 Nordex N100/2500 have recently been completed. The success of that project was critical to the RPM Access decision to again choose Nordex wind turbines.
“Nordex has consistently demonstrated the ability to act quickly, flexibly and responsively. Our trust in them and in the quality of their proven 2.5 MW product platform convinced us that they were the right turbine supply partner for these important projects.” commented Stephen Dryden, Principal of RPM Access.
Construction work for both locations has already begun with turbine delivery scheduled for May 2012 for Rippey and June for Hawkeye. Commercial operation for both projects is slated to begin by October 2012. The turbine nacelles will be produced at Nordex’ year-old plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The projects will create 60-70 jobs during the construction and on-going full-time employment for another 6-8, as the contract calls for delivery, installation, commissioning and testing of the turbines, along with a 12-year Premium Service contract. In recognition of the harsh winter conditions in the area, the turbines will include Nordex’ cold climate package.
“It is especially rewarding to conclude this second set of contracts with RPM Access, one of the Midwest’s leading project developers,” said Ralf Sigrist, President & CEO of Nordex USA, Inc. “We appreciate their vote of confidence in our technology, our reliability, and our capabilities as a company. We’re also proud to become an even larger contributor to Iowa’s leadership position as first in the nation with 20% of all its electricity generated from wind.”
The Hawkeye Wind Farm, with 15 turbines and capacity of 37.5 MW, is about 50 miles northeast of Waterloo, Iowa. Rippey Wind Farm, with 20 turbines and capacity of 50 MW is about 50 miles northwest of Des Moines, Iowa.
By the end of 2011 Nordex will have installed 447.5 MW of its 2.5 MW turbines in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Colorado, Idaho and Iowa and more than 3,850 MW of such turbines worldwide since the year 2001.