Vestas, Siemens launch turbines, Horns Rev 2 completion

Dong Energy inaugurates Horns Rev 2 
Danish firm Dong Energy’s Horns Rev 2 wind farm has been inaugurated. The company stated that it is now officially the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The wind farm is located in the North Sea 30km off the coast of western Jutland. The 91 turbines will have a total production capacity of 209 MW. When the wind farm gets completed later this year, it will supply electricity to more than 200,000 households. According to project manager, Henrik Mørup Lehmann, the most critical moment was the completion of the foundation work in 2008, which meant that the stage was set for erecting turbines in 2009.
 
National Grid offers earlier connections to 12 Scottish projects
National Grid has taken an initiative to ensure that all renewable generation projects in Scotland can connect as soon as the local connection to the grid is ready. The investor-owned energy company has offered earlier connections to the transmission system to 12 renewable generation projects, totalling 900 MW. Connection dates are being advanced by up to six years, with the biggest advance is for a project with a 2018 connection date being brought forward to 2012. The initiative also underlined the need for urgent planning reform as developers for 190 of the 900 MW responded by saying that they cannot accept the earlier connection dates due to the planning delays. Generators in England and Wales are expected to be offered earlier connection dates in the near future.
 
Vestas launches third turbine for the offshore market
Wind turbine company Vestas has launched its new turbine, V112-3.0 MW Offshore. The company claimed that the new turbine, which has been specifically designed to handle rough conditions at sea and still maintain optimal energy generation, can generate more power than any other turbine in the 3 MW class. It expects first installation of its new offering in late 2010 and serial delivery in 2011. The V112-3.0 MW Offshore will be the third turbine in the offshore product line. The other two are the V90-3.0 MW and the V80-2.0 MW.
 
MEA solicits interest in building wind energy farms
The Maryland Energy Administration (MEA) is looking at capitalising on its wind energy resources off of Maryland’s coast. Its new initiative will comprise an outreach to potential offshore wind developers and a technical evaluation of the wind resources off of Maryland’s Atlantic coast and Outer Continental Shelf. The MEA will soon get into discussions with the US and European developers for possible strategies for facilitating a long-term offshore wind energy strategy for Maryland. The state is working on a mandate to meet its Renewable Portfolio Standard goal of 20% by 2022.
 
Clipper Windpower bags £4.4 m DECC grant
Clipper Windpower has bagged a grant worth £4.4 million for the development of blades for the Britannia Project, a 10 MW offshore wind turbine prototype under development by Clipper. The grant has come under the ETF Offshore Wind Demonstration Call, announced by the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in May this year. The turbine will be manufactured in a new 4,000m2 facility that is likely to be built along the River Tyne in the northeast of England. A fully operational Clipper 10 MW turbine will stand at 175 metres in height. It is scheduled for deployment in late 2011
 
Siemens comes up with new 3.6MW wind turbine
Siemens has launched a 3.6MW wind turbine, based on the technology of its SWT-3.6-107 offshore wind turbine. The new turbine, SWT-3.6-120 turbine features a 120-metre rotor diameter and it will be equipped with 58.5 metre long rotor blades. Siemens expects its SWT-3.6-120 to produce around 10% more electricity at a typical offshore site compared to its SWT-3.6-107. The company shared that it has major orders in pipeline for its new offering in the UK. According to Siemens, 175 of these new wind turbines will be installed in the first phase of the British London Array project.
 
NACEL moves ahead with its Texas wind power project
American wind power company NACEL Energy has completed the environmental assessment work at its Channing Flats wind power project in Moore County, Texas. The company has also received Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) permits covering the placement of 18 turbines for the project.
 
Boost for offshore wind farms in Germany
The German government has approved plans to dedicate special zones off its northern coast, paving way for 40 offshore wind parks. The plan involves setting aside zones between 12 and 200 kilometres off its northern shores. It has been reported that 30 would be in the North Sea and 10 in the Baltic Sea. Of these, 25 have already received approval —22 in the North Sea and three in the Baltic Sea.