Largest South African wind energy order put out for tender by the EDF is awarded to Vestas

Vestas is pleased to announce a firm and unconditional order for 105 MW from a consortium led by Innowind, an 80 per cent affiliate of EDF EN for the wind power plants Chaba, Waainek and Grassridge. The co-investors and partners in the projects are the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) and the local communities.

All three wind power plants, Chaba (7 x V112.3.0 MW), Waainek (8 x V112-3.0 MW) and Grassridge (20 x V112-3.0 MW) will be installed in the Eastern Cape Province, South Africa. The turbine delivery for all wind projects is planned to start mid-2014 and the commissioning is expected to start in the third quarter of 2014.

The contract for all three turnkey projects comprises supply, installation and commissioning of 35 V112-3.0 MW wind turbines, along with a VestasOnline® Business SCADA solution, full scope civil and electrical works as well as a 10-year full-scope service agreement (AOM 4000).

“We are pleased to continue our more than ten years of collaboration with Vestas in a new country. We have a very strong and long-term commitment to South Africa which has a great potential and framework for wind power development. Based on our long-standing relationship with Vestas we are extremely confident that the projects will be successfully commissioned,” says Jean-Philippe Salomé, Vice President Industry of EDF EN Group.

“It is a pleasure for us to announce another large order for South Africa and to construct our first wind power project together with Innowind – all the more so in connection with a project company jointly owned by EDF EN Group, which is a long-term and highly-valued Vestas customer. These projects mark another important step in further developing this promising wind market,” says Thomas Richterich, President of Vestas Central Europe. “We are happy to be chosen as the turbine supplier and service provider for these wind power plants and to consolidate our market leadership in South Africa. We look forward to working in a close partnership with Innowind and continuing to contribute to sustainable future growth of wind energy in the country.”

“Innowind is one of the key players in the wind energy sector in South Africa and forms an elementary part of our continuous efforts to meet our customers’ needs with efficient wind energy solutions. We are happy that Innowind demonstrates full confidence in the quality of our technology and the business case certainty we offer,” states Phylip Leferink, Country Manager/VP Sales, Vestas Southern Africa.

The wind projects totalling 105 MW will be a key contributor to South Africa’s goal of having 1,800 MW of wind energy capacity by 2015. The three wind power plants Chaba, Waineek and Grassridge will produce more than 375 GWh per year, enough green energy to cover the residential electricity consumption of more than 240,000 South African households. As of 31 December 2012, Vestas hasdelivered 523 V112-3.0 MW turbines worldwide representing a total capacity of more than 1.5 GW, and has received more than 3 GW of firm orders for this model.

The Industrial Development Corporation is providing finance for industrial development projects, playing a catalytic role in promoting partnerships across industries and is promoting regional economic growth. IDC is financing the Local Communities that are involved in the Chaba, Waainek and Grassridge wind power plants. All three projects are financed by ABSA and IDC.

Every single day, Vestas wind turbines deliver clean energy that supports the global fight against climate change. Wind power from Vestas’ more than 49,000 wind turbines currently reduces carbon emissions by over 60 million tons of CO2 every year, while at the same time building energy security and independence. Today, Vestas has installed turbines in 73 countries, providing jobs for around 17,000 passionate people at our service and project sites, research facilities, factories and offices all over the world. With 62 per cent more megawatts installed than our closest competitor and more than 56 GW of cumulative installed capacity worldwide, Vestas is the world leader in wind energy.

The headquarters of Vestas Central Europe is located in Hamburg, Germany. The business unit is responsible for the sales and marketing of wind power systems as well as for the installation and operation of  wind power plants in Germany, Benelux, Austria, Russia, Eastern Europe and Southern and Eastern Africa.

FURTHER SPECIFIC PROJECT-RELATED DATA

Total year-to-date announced order intake in MW: 2,137 MW.

For more information please contact Trevor Sievert at ts@windfair.net or Vestas directly under the provided email.