Danish wind energy company Vestas has received an order for 31 turbines from EDF Energies Nouvelles (EDF EN) for two projects in Italy and Germany.
The order comes as part of an agreement formed between the two companies formed in June 2011 that binds EDF to purchase at least 50 per cent of wind turbines for European ventures and 30 per cent for US projects from Vestas.
A total of 19, 2MW units will be utilised in the 38MW Gargano facility in Italy with Vestas also contracted to install and commission the turbines. Delivery is expected to commence in July 2012 with the site scheduled to be operational by October 2012.
The 24MW Eckolstadt wind farm in Germany will consist of 12, 2MW turbines and Vestas will also carry out the installation for the project. The units will be delivered in August 2012 with the plant expected to be commissioned by the end of this year.
Juan Araluce, president of Vestas Mediterranean, said, 'We are pleased to announce this contract with EDF EN, which strengthens our partnership as clearly supported by our global key account programme. We are delighted to have been chosen as wind turbine supplier for the development of these two wind farms in Italy and Germany. Both wind farms will use Vestas' 2MW platform - the industry's most proven turbine family with more than 7,800 in use worldwide, delivering high reliability, low operational downtime and high performance.'
Hans Jørn Rieks, president of Vestas Central Europe, added, 'At Vestas, we believe that a close and regular customer dialogue is critical for maintaining and growing a valuable partnership with our customers, and this is what we are doing through our global key account programme. Both EDF EN and Vestas share the same mission of further developing wind power and making it more competitive and reliable every day. Having been chosen as supplier for these two wind farms confirms EDF EN's trust in Vestas' capabilities and willpower to accomplish our shared mission.'