GE Renewable Energy has secured the first Spanish order for its Cypress turbine, for a 100MW wind project in Cuenca.
The manufacturer will supply developer Azora with 19 units for the Cuevas de Valesco project, with a rated capacity of 5.5MW each and a rotor diameter of 158 metres.
The deal includes a 30-year service contract.
The Cypress’ two-piece blade will be produced by GE’s wind turbine blade subsidiary, LM Wind Power, which operates a factory in Castellon, Spain, which was expanded in 2018 and now employs about 650 people.
The towers for the wind turbines will be produced in Spain, with the nacelles being produced at GE’s European factory in Salzbergen, Germany.
Azora infrastructure and energy investments managing partner Santiago Olivares said: “We are very excited about the opportunity of working together with GE in this fantastic project, which will be the first to implement this revolutionary new turbine in Spain.
“The Cuevas de Velasco wind farm will produce more than 300,000 megawatt-hours a year, contributing to Spain´s objective of generating cleaner, cheaper and more efficient energy.”
GE Europe and sub Saharan Africa onshore wind president Peter Wells said: “Azora is a major investor in wind energy in Spain and we are thrilled to be working together and help our customer reach its renewable energy goals.”
Spain has set an objective in its National Energy and Climate Plan (PNIEC) to reach 50GW of installed wind power by 2030, resulting in the installation of 2300MW annually during the decade.
According to the Spanish wind power association, Asociacion Empresarial Eolica (AEE), wind power could meet 34% of the national electricity supply by 2030, up from just under 21% in 2019.