Australia - Vestas receives 168 MW wind energy order "down under"

Vestas has received an order to supply 56 units of the V90-3.0 MW wind turbine for the Musselroe Wind Farm project to be constructed in Tasmania, Australia. The order has been placed by Hydro Tasmania, Australia’s largest generator of renewable electricity.

"Vestas is delighted to be chosen as the wind energy solution partner by Hydro Tasmania for the development of the Musselroe Wind Farm, a spectacular wind farm location with strong winds ideally suited to the Vestas V90-3.0 MW turbine. The go-ahead for this project is great news for the Tasmanian economy, and Vestas is proud to be playing a key role,” said Sean Sutton, President of Vestas Asia Pacific.

The order scope comprises a wind turbine supply, installation and commissioning contract, including a VestasOnline® Business SCADA solution, and a ten-year service agreement.

Vestas CEO Ditlev Engel, who signed the contract during his recent visit to Australia with the Danish trade delegation, commented: “It was a real pleasure to participate in the signing of this very important project. Hydro Tasmania is a very important customer to Vestas and the fact that they have shown us this trust for such a major project in Tasmania is a clear signal of the strong co-operation between our two organisations.”

Since the signing, final conditions to the contracts have been satisfied and Vestas and Hydro Tasmania are now able to disclose this firm and unconditional order. The wind turbines will be manufactured during 2012 prior to installation on site during the first half of 2013.

Hydro Tasmania currently operates 140 MW of wind power – the 65 MW Bluff Point Wind Farm features 37 Vestas V66-1.75 MW turbines and the 75 MW Woolnorth Wind Farm features 25 Vestas V90-3.0 MW turbines.

“Hydro Tasmania is pleased to have selected Vestas as its supplier for the world-class 168 MW wind farm project at Musselroe,” said Hydro Tasmania’s CEO Mr Roy Adair. “The choice of Vestas turbines was based on them being the best fit for the site and the local environmental conditions. We look forward to a successful partnership to complete this project on time by June 2013. This project, utilising Vestas' turbines capability, will substantially enhance Hydro Tasmania's reputation as Australia's leading clean energy business.”

Since 2001, Vestas has supplied 554 turbines in Australia, equating to 1,061 MW of installed wind generating capacity (as per 30 June 2011). This provides enough electricity to power more than 600,000 Australian homes.

The V90-3.0 MW is designed to be easy to transport and install through its compact, low weight design and reduced foundation loadings. Its innovative nacelle is lighter because its gearbox has an integrated main bearing that eliminates the need for a traditional main shaft. Blade weight is also kept to a minimum by using carbon together with glass fibre. The tower is lighter, too, and includes the use of magnets instead of welding to attach the tower internals to the tower wall.

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