GE’s (NYSE: GE) advanced technology 2.5 series wind turbines have surpassed 2 gigawatts of installed capacity worldwide, enough clean electricity to power approximately 1.4 million European households. GE announced this milestone at the European Wind Energy Association’s EWEA 2012 in Copenhagen.
By the end of the year, more than 2,000 GE wind turbines with a 100+ meter rotor will be operating in 15 countries worldwide, including 12 in Europe. Nearly 1,000 of these turbines will be multi-megawatt 2.5 series machines.
The 2.5 technology has been selected for two of the world’s largest wind projects: the 845-megawatt Shepherds Flat wind farm in Oregon, the first use of the 2.5 technology in the United States; and CEZ Romania’s 600-megawatt Fantanele wind farm, Europe’s largest onshore wind project.
An evolutionary product, the 2.5 series includes the 2.3-94, 2.5-88, 2.5-100, 2.75-100 and 2.75-103 models, offering high efficiency and reliability for a broad range of wind conditions. The 2.5 family is built on the proven performance of GE’s 1.5 wind turbine, the most widely deployed machine in the wind industry with more than 16,500 units installed worldwide.
“The 2.5 is a proven product, established in Europe and now creating a global footprint,” said Vic Abate, vice president of renewable energy at GE. “It is a valuable part of our technology portfolio, which we are constantly investing in to meet the changing needs of our customers worldwide.”