GE and GDF SUEZ Energy Romania Fuel Wind Energy Growth in Romania

GE finalized the installation and started the testing of 20 GE 2.5-103 wind turbines for a 50-megawatt (MW) wind energy project under construction by GDF SUEZ Energy Romania in the town of Baleni, located in Romania’s southeastern Moldavian region.

When it begins operating, the wind farm will generate enough renewable electricity to power the equivalent of 50,000 houses in Romania. GE will support the Baleni wind farm’s long-term availability through a 10-year, full-service maintenance agreement.

“We selected GE’s wind technology for its proven reliability, excellent references from the grid operator and high availability track record,” said Eric Stab, chairman and CEO of GDF SUEZ Energy Romania. “We are glad to power this wind energy project in Romania with GE turbines.”

In addition to supplying, erecting and commissioning the wind turbines, GE has signed a 10-year, full-service agreement to support the operation of the Baleni wind farm. The service contract includes GE’s condition monitoring system. GE will have permanent on-site support and work with local GE service and parts distribution centers to maximize availability and customer production.

“GE’s advanced wind turbine technology and services are able to meet the needs of our developing regions and provide high efficiency and reliability power where it is needed most and we are very pleased to execute our first project with GDF SUEZ Energy Romania,” said Pierre Viallefond, sales director for GE’s renewable energy business in Europe. “This project further highlights the capabilities of GE to support the growing role of wind energy in Romania and throughout Europe.”

Romania’s energy demand is expected to grow 400 MW annually until 2016, and the new wind farm could meet 12.5 percent of that anticipated growth. The Baleni announcement is the latest in a series of GE technology projects in Romania. GE supplied wind turbines for the 600-MW Fantanele/Cogealac wind park, Europe’s largest onshore wind project. (GE also recently announced that Energia Verde Ventuno selected seven 2.5-103 GE wind turbines to power its Cerna Wind Park in Romania’s Tulcea region. The 17.5-MW project will generate enough clean energy to power approximately 7,000 Romanian households when it enters service later this year.