Nordex’s Scandinavian business is continuing to grow. The wind turbine manufacturer has now signed a contract with Midtfjellet Vindkraft, which is owned by utility Østfold Energi, local utility Fitjar Kraftlag and the independent power producer (IPP) Vardar, for the delivery and installation of 21 N90/2500 wind turbines. The contract also includes a five-year premium service agreement with an option for renewal by up to further ten years.
The “Midtfjellet” wind farm is being built on the Norwegian island of Stord. Work on installing the 52.5 MW project is to commence in summer 2012, with completion scheduled for 2013. At the site off the Norwegian Atlantic coast, climatic conditions are relatively mild thanks to the influence of the Gulf Stream, meaning that winter temperatures rarely drop below -10 °C. Heavy turbulence on the hilly and sparsely vegetated Midtfjellet plateau and good wind conditions with speeds averaging 8.8 m/s call for very robust and proven strong-wind turbines. Certified for wind class IEC 1, the N90/2500 turbine satisfies these requirements, promising an optimum yield. The 21 turbines will be able to generate over 170,000 MWh of clean electricity per year.
Says Ole Vidar Lunde, Managing Director of Midtfjellet Vindkraft: “Awarding Nordex as our turbine supplier is an important milestone for the `Midtfjellet´ project. From all manufacturers in the competition Nordex had the best offer, and we are looking forward to close cooperation.” “Midtfjellet is an ideal reference project for Nordex in the Norwegian market. The new joint certificate system with Sweden is expected to be implemented in January 2012 and could give the market a real boost”, comments Lars Bondo Krogsgaard, Chief Sales Officer of Nordex SE.