Estonian turbine manufacturer Eleon and Chinese State Shipbuilding Corporation have signed a deal that will see the latter start producing the former’s new 5-6MW hardware from the end of next year.
The deal is a continuation of a strategic cooperation and joint venture agreement signed in the spring.
It means the partners have agreed upon the technical parameters of the new Eleon wind turbine type, the development process and the principles and schedule of testing production, certification and financing.
The turbines will have rotor diameters of between 156 and 175 metres and tower heights of 135 to 175 metres.
Eleon said that although the hardware will not come to the market until the fourth quarter of next year, it has already sold more than 1000 units in advance in China.
Eleon chairman of the management board Oleg Sonajalg said: “The main thing is that this wind turbine is able to generate electricity without renewable energy subsidies.
“It has been known for many years that Eleon has a patented breakthrough technology for producing wind energy.
“Unfortunately, the realisation of this potential in Estonia has so far been hindered by all sorts of methods by some state authorities.”