GE enters Estonian wind energy market

Greentech Lead Europe: GE is opening the Paldiski Wind Farm on the Pakri peninsula in northwestern Estonia, marking the commercial debut of the company’s wind turbine technology in Estonia.

GE is supplying 18 GE 2.5-100 wind turbines for this project.

Estonia is regarded as one of Europe’s most promising wind sectors. Thanks to strong winds coming off the Baltic Sea and the installation of the Paldiski Wind Farm, Estonia experienced a significant development for wind power last year.

According to Martin Kruus, who is the chairman of the board of both Nelja Energia and the Estonian Wind Power Association, Estonia erected a record number of wind turbines last year with a total capacity of 86 megawatts (MW) that led to the overall capacity of 269 MW. According to Kruus, the amount of wind energy generated during 2012 grew by 23 percent.

Eesti Energia currently operates four wind farms: Paldiski, Aulepa, Narva and Virtsu, with a total capacity of 111 MW.

“Wind continues to play a significant role in powering communities, and GE’s wind turbines offer high efficiency and reliability for a broad range of wind conditions,” said Cliff Harris, general manager, GE Renewable Energy Europe.

“Our 2.5-100 wind turbine is a product of GE’s evolution in the wind industry and is an excellent addition to the multi-megawatt wind sector,” Harris added. “Advancements in serviceability and grid integration from earlier GE turbine models make it a great fit for Estonia’s robust wind conditions.”

In another related development GE announced that GAMA Enerji, a GAMA Holding-GE Energy Financial Services joint venture, has invested in 13 GE 2.75-103 wind turbines.

GAMA Enerji has completed the first drawdown for a 35-megawatt (MW) wind power plant in Akhisar, Manisa, 40 kilometers from Izmir, Turkey. GAMA Enerji signed a loan agreement with TSKB in Istanbul on July 5, for financing the Gök II wind park, which is expected to reach commercial operation in 2014.

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