12/01/2017

4 MW platform expands its reach in world’s second largest wind market with 100 MW order in the United States

Capital Power has placed a firm and unconditional order for 29 V126-3.45 MW turbines for the New Frontier Wind Project, expanding Vestas’ 4 MW platform into North Dakota. The order is Capital Power’s second onshore wind development project in the U.S. and an example of the 4 MW platform’s successful introduction to the U.S., and the flexibility it provides to Vestas’ solutions in the market.

The New Frontier Wind Project will deliver positive economic impact for both the local and state economies, including funds from additional tax revenue and landowner payments, as well as the creation of both part-time and full-time permanent local jobs.

North Dakota has nearly 3,000 MW of installed wind capacity, serving more than 4,000 wind jobs and generating more than 20 percent of the state’s electricity. In 2016, the U.S. wind industry added jobs nine times faster than the overall US economy and today there are over 102,000 wind power workers – more than coal, nuclear, hydro or gas.

“Capital Power has more than 10 years of experience operating Vestas turbines and we look forward to building on this longstanding relationship with Vestas at New Frontier Wind, our second wind development project in the United States,” said Darcy Trufyn, Capital Power Senior Vice President, Operations, Engineering, and Construction. “Using the state-of-the-art V126-3.45 MW model in North Dakota will provide greater wind capture and produce more energy at a lower cost, making this project an excellent asset to our growing North American wind fleet.”

“Vestas is proud of its longstanding relationship with Capital Power, and we are honored to deliver the economic benefits and jobs generated in North Dakota by this project”, said Chris Brown, President of Vestas’ sales and service division in the United States and Canada. “The combined product diversity in our 2 MW and 4 MW platforms provides tremendous flexibility and competitive advantage for our customers.”

The order includes supply and commissioning of the turbines as well as a multi-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM5000) service agreement. Delivery is expected to begin in the third quarter of 2018, with commissioning planned for the end of 2018.

Since its debut, nearly 3,000 MW of V126-3.45MW turbines and the 3.0 MW and 3.3 MW rating variants have been installed globally.