Suzlon Group-subsidiary REpower Systems SE has signed a contract with PNE Wind AG to deliver 54 offshore wind turbines. The 6M turbines, each with 6,150 kW of rated power, are intended for the Gode Wind I wind farm.
The project is based in the German North Sea, around 35 km north of the East Frisian Islands in the Exclusive Economic Zone of Germany. This is the largest-ever offshore project with REpower turbines and one of the world’s biggest open-sea projects with turbines in the multi-megawatt class. The wind turbines are set to be installed and commissioned in 2015. At the Gode Wind I site, the water is between 28 and 34 meters deep.
Mr. Thorsten Fastenau, Vice President Offshore at PNE WIND AG: “Both REpower and PNE WIND have since built up extensive experience in the offshore sector. This is why Gode Wind I is developed to an extent that allowed us to submit the documents for the necessary consent for mains connection to grid operator TenneT following the speedy conclusion of the contract – because in addition to the supply contract agreements regarding the transformer station, the foundations and the wind farm’s internal cabling are already complete.”
Mr. Andreas Nauen, CEO - REpower Systems SE, stated: “We are delighted that PNE, one of the most successful German developers, is placing its trust in our 6M. PNE is also one of the first developers in Germany to switch to multi-megawatt turbines with an output in excess of 5 MW. This is a real breakthrough, particularly for the numerous future projects in even deeper water.”
Added Mr. Tulsi Tanti, Chairman – Suzlon Group: “This is a landmark order for the Suzlon Group, and underscores our position as one of the global leaders in offshore wind energy. We believe the combination of our product portfolio – which includes the world’s most powerful offshore turbine, and our deep experience in installing and operating projects in very challenging conditions on the high seas, makes us the partner of choice for offshore, particularly in a market projected to grow at over 30 per cent year on year.”
The REpower 6M is the most powerful wind turbine ever to be installed on the high seas anywhere in the world. The turbine is produced in Bremerhaven, Germany. In 2009, three prototypes of the REpower 6M were installed onshore at the Ellhöft wind farm, near the German-Danish border. The first offshore installations were recently erected in the Belgian Thornton Bank wind project. REpower has already sold 150 of this type of turbine, including Gode Wind.
With 6,150 kW of rated power, an individual turbine installed offshore can supply more than 6,000 households with electricity. As it has 332 megawatts of rated power, the Gode Wind I wind farm will generate enough electricity to provide power to approximately 324,000 households.