Gaia-Wind and renewable energy provider Myriad CEG Power have today signed a £5m plus contract to provide almost 200 Gaia-Wind 133-11kW small wind turbines for installation in England and Wales, over the next twelve months.
The announcement comes just weeks after Gaia-Wind won the prestigious Scottish Renewables Green Energy Award for business growth and will create job opportunities in both companies as well as the service and supply chain.
Gaia-Wind CEO Johnnie Andringa said: “This is a record breaking contract for us and will enhance our position as the UK’s leading manufacturer of small wind turbines. The contract, for 190 turbines, with the potential to increase to more than 200, is a vote of confidence from Myriad CEG Power: the UK’s largest supplier and installer of green energy equipment. It is also a huge compliment to our turbine model, the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW, and our workforce.
Welcoming the development, First Minister Alex Salmond said: I congratulate Gaia-Wind, together with Myriad CEG, on securing this new contract and I am pleased that the Scottish Government, through our enterprise agencies, has been able to support the company’s successful development from its Glasgow base.
“The latest success is further indication of the strength of Scotland’s world-leading renewable energy industry, built on our strong industrial heritage and track record for innovation.
“It is an industry that is not only transforming how we generate power in Scotland, but one that is increasingly generating business, jobs and investment from around these islands and further afield.”
Andringa continued: “It is also a boost for UK renewables manufacturing and demonstrates the capacity for growth in the sector at a difficult time. Over the last year or so we have created a world class Global Hub integrating R&D, design engineering, assembly and testing, as well as global distribution and supply chain management – all on one site in Glasgow. This investment has facilitated our rapid, solid growth and secured jobs and skills for the industry.
“Since moving our headquarters from Denmark to Glasgow in 2006, we have generated more than 30 jobs in our UK Company, not to mention the immediate service and supply chain. This contract underpins our growth plans and the potential to almost double this figure in the coming years.”
Myriad CEG Power Ltd MD, Phil McVan, said: “As a result of this successful partnership, the Myriad CEG Power wind turbine business increased by 50 per cent last year and is set to do the same again this year. “We are delighted to have renewed and extended our agreement to be the exclusive supplier in England and Wales of the market leading product for this size of turbine, which has a first class record for quietness, reliability and energy production.
“As the renewable sector continues to grow across the UK, this partnership is an anchor point for farmers and other customers who want to benefit from impressive yields and returns, particularly in the wake of the reduced solar tariffs announced by the Government.’’
Scottish Enterprise Chief Executive, Lena Wilson, said: “Today’s announcement is fantastic news for Gaia-Wind, and for Scotland, and is testament to the hard work and commitment of its management team and staff. We've worked intensively with Gaia-Wind since 2007 supporting the delivery of its ambitious growth plans. During this time, we have seen it grow from strength to strength and really capitalise on Scotland's strengths as a key location for low carbon development. I wish them every success for the future as they continue to strengthen their presence in Scotland."
Designed for areas with an average annual wind speeds of between 10-17mph (4.5-7.5 m/s), the Gaia-Wind 133-11kW is ideally suited to sites with large open spaces such as farms, rural properties and rural businesses. The large rotor allows the turbine to capture much more energy from the wind than similarly rated machines, delivering higher electricity production.
The turbines helped Gaia-Wind sweep the board in the annual survey of US small wind turbine industry professionals published in 2011, achieving the best rating of the top 24 turbines available in the US.
A Gaia-Wind 133-11kW turbine generating 30,000kWh of green electricity per year will offset around 17 tonnes of CO2 emissions. This is enough to erase the carbon footprint of the average 4 person household.