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Wind energy in United States: Vestas secures orders for 162 MW

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For one of the orders, some of the turbines will be delivered in the 2.2 MW power optimized mode.  Vestas and the customer utilized the flexibility of the V110 power modes to customize a site-specific product mix that extracts the maximum wind resource output, reaping the optimal value between yield and cost. 

Both orders include supply and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as Active Output Management (AOM) 5000 service agreements, a full-scope service package to maximize uptime and performance and energy production.  Turbine delivery will begin in the third quarter of 2017.  
Turbine nacelles, blades, and towers will be produced at Vestas’ Colorado factories.
“The V110-2.0 MW is our flagship turbine platform in the United States, and the versatility of site-specific power mode combinations unlocks the potential of the wind conditions and increases site output,” says Chris Brown, President of Vestas’ sales and service division in the United States and Canada.



Wind power in Italy: Senvion wind turbines for a wind farm in Basilicata

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Senvion, a leading global manufacturer of wind turbines, has secured a contract for the delivery and installation of 30 wind turbines with a total rated power of 60 megawatts (MW) for the wind farm of Tursi Colobraro with PLT Energia. Tursi is the largest project under the third Italian feed-in tariff auction system to date. 

Located in the region of Basilicata in Southern Italy, the 30 Senvion MM100 turbines will be installed from next autumn, each with a rated power of 2 MW and a hub height of 100 meters. Together, the 30 turbines will generate enough electricity to power almost 40,000 Italian households on average each year.
Carlo Schiapparelli, Managing Director of Senvion South East Europe, says: “We are very happy to be supplying and maintaining turbines from our two-megawatt portfolio for Tursi Colobraro Wind Farm. With our service offering, we will make sure that Tursi wind farm will contribute to the green future of the region. We are looking forward to continuing our successful partnership with PLT group.” Altogether, Senvion has installed over 350 turbines from its MM-portfolio with a total rated output of more than 700 MW in Italy to date.
Pierluigi Tortora, CEO of PLT energia, adds: “The realization of this project is a springboard for PLT: After months of hard work, we are pleased to have secured the construction of this wind farm.  Most of all I would like to express my thanks for the constructive cooperation with Senvion, a strong partner with whom we can continue our growth. 



 

Brunei has potential for solar energy

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Brunei has "good potential" to utilise solar energy due to its location, said a professor at Universiti Teknologi Brunei. UTB's Assistant Vice Chancellor, Professor Nawaf Hazim Saeid, said solar intensity is higher in Brunei compared to other countries because of the amount of sunlight it has daily, local daily the Brunei Times reported Thursday.

Solar intensity refers to the amount of sunlight hitting the earth's surface.
He said Brunei can tap into solar energy by placing photovoltaic panels in large areas of land mass unoccupied by the population.
"There are a lot of areas in Brunei that can be used to generate solar energy, including photovoltaic panels on top of buildings and houses," he said.
He noted that Brunei is gifted with many natural resources in addition to its oil and gas.
"In terms of renewable energy, Brunei has good potential to utilize solar energy. One of the successful projects for producing electricity is the Tenaga Suria Brunei Photovoltaic Power Generation Demonstration Project in Seria," he said.
He added that hydropower and offshore wind power are other options as renewable energy for the country. 



 

Google buys output from 160 MW norwegian wind farm

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Google has purchased 100% of the output of a 160 MW Norwegian wind power farm to be built south of Stavanger, Norway, through a 12-year power purchase agreement (PPA). Zephyr AS is a Norwegian wind power company that develops projects in southern and central Norway. The company was established in 2006 and has since then developed a number of wind power projects up to license. 


Currently, we have wind power projects under development in the counties of Sogn og Fjordane, Rogaland, Sør-Trøndelag and Nord-Trøndelag. We have also played an important role in the construction of several wind farms; including Mehuken II and III, as well as Midtfjellet I and II.
Zephyr is owned by Østfold Energi AS, Vardar AS, EB Kraftproduksjon AS, and the Danish energy company DONG Energy Power AS.
We believe in constructive dialogue and arrange meetings with the public, municipalities, landowners and anyone who may be affected with our projects.
Zephyr is responsible for the daily operation of the wind power company Kvalheim Kraft DA, which owns Mehuken wind farm in Sogn og Fjordane county in western Norway.
Zephyr was in 2010 responsible for expanding the Mehuken wind farm with eight new turbines. We are also currently responsible for the construction of Mehuken III, which is a repowering project, replacing five older turbines with three new and more effective turbines. The project is due to be completed during 2015.  





Siemens onshore wind turbines for Saxony

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Siemens will supply three direct drive wind turbines of the type SWT-3.2-113 for the onshore wind power plant Naundorf. These modern wind turbines add about ten megawatts (MW) to the site's existing wind power capacity. Additional Siemens medium-voltage switchgear located in the turbine towers will play a key role. These components enable the three turbines to connect and disconnect themselves to the grid in time staggered periods. The order includes a 20-year service agreement.

Siemens will provide three direct drive wind turbines each with a rotor diameter of 113 meters and a rating of 3.2 MW for the project Naundorf located in Germany between Dresden and Leipzig.
The automatic switchgear, a so-called "auto-reclosing-system", is crucial for expanding the Naundorf wind power plant. All wind turbines at the site use one grid access point which is connected to the local medium-voltage grid. Overloads are avoided by staggering the turbine's energy feed into the grid in defined stages, to maintain grid stability. "Siemens was the right technology partner for this matter," says Gustav Brzyszcz, head of Wind 2000 GmbH that developed the project. "We were able to choose from a broad range of solutions from energy production to power transmission and found the most suitable component for our needs."
"We are very happy to have been chosen for this project because of our optimal grid compatibility," says Thomas Richterich, CEO Onshore of Siemens Wind Power and Renewables Division. "We make use of the whole Siemens product portfolio that covers the entire value chain from electricity generation to energy distribution."
The Naundorf wind power plant is located between Dresden and Leipzig in the district of Nordsachsen and was connected to the grid for the first time in 2004, with a rating of 14 MW. In the following years the plant's capacity was expanded by additional 6 MW, and in 2015 by another 14.4 MW. The three new wind turbines with a capacity of 3.2 MW each and a rotor diameter of 113 meters will increase the wind power plant's capacity to almost 42 MW in total. Installation of the three SWT-3.2-113 turbines, mounted on steel towers with hub heights of 92.5 meters, is scheduled to begin in autumn 2016; operation of the three wind turbines and their medium-voltage switchgear will start in early 2017. Once operational, the Naundorf onshore wind power plant will provide clean energy to almost 10,000 citizens.



 

Eólica en Alemania: Aerogeneradores terrestres de Siemens

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La producción en serie de la turbina eólica se incrementará en la primavera de 2017. Esto representa el último desarrollo de la plataforma de productos de Siemens D3.

Más de 1.000 unidades de estas turbinas eólicas terrestres sin engranajes ya están en funcionamiento en todo el mundo, con una capacidad total instalada de más de 3 gigavatios. Desde el lanzamiento de su primera turbina eólica sin engranajes en 2010 Siemens ha recibido pedidos para proyectos de accionamiento directo terrestres con una capacidad total de aproximadamente 6,8 gigavatios.
Después de la exitosa prueba de tipo, los proyectos eólicos en Alemania ahora se pueden planificarse con la turbina D3 y serán autorizadas de acuerdo con la actual tarifa. La prueba de tipo comprendía una evaluación del diseño de la SWT-3,3-130 de acuerdo con las directrices DIBt por el TÜV Nord. Siemens está utilizando su primer prototipo próximo al estandar instalado al sur de Husum para las pruebas finales.
La turbina eólica de alto rendimiento de Siemens para emplazamientos con vientos entre medios y bajos ha logrado el próximo hito. La turbina eólica terrestre SWT-3,3-130, con 85, 115 y 130 metros de altura de buje, ha superado con éxito el ensayo de tipo independiente y ahora está certificada por TÜV Nord de acuerdo con las actuales directrices DIBt. El certificado permite a los operadores obtener la autorización para realizar proyectos específicos con la turbina eólica sin engranajes D3 en Alemania. Siemens planea desplegar el primer prototipo SWT-3,3-130 de Alemania este otoño en el campo de pruebas eolicas al sur de Husum.
“Estamos ampliando nuestra cartera de turbina eólica con la SWT-3.3-130 de alto rendimiento, una solución fiable para sitios con medias a bajas velocidades del viento” dijo Thomas Richterich, CEO del área terrestre de la división Wind Power and Renewables. "Proyectos de energía eólica ahora se podrán planificar con esta turbina. El año que viene va a empezar la producción en serie".
Con una potencia nominal de 3,3 megavatios y un diámetro de rotor de 130 metros, Siemens ha desarrollado el SWT-3,3-130 especialmente para las necesidades del mercado terrestre en Alemania y otros países de Europa. La turbina proporciona máximo rendimiento energético para velocidades entre bajas y medias, y amplía el portfolio de Siemens con la innovadora turbina de alto rendimiento. Para las localizaciones terrestres Siemens va a ir aún más lejos: La compañía introducirá modelos adicionales de la plataforma terrestre de accionamiento directo que ofrecerá rotores más grandes y diferentes clasificaciones de generadores en la Feria de Energía Eólica de Hamburgo en septiembre.
Excelente rendimiento energético en lugares con viento medio y bajo
La turbina eólica SWT - 3,3-130 de Siemens con sus 130 metros de rotor y una potencia nominal de 3,3 megavatios ha pasado la certificación de tipo.



Winds of change for onshore wind energy industry: More than 30% of new energy in U.S. coming from wind power

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The years of relentless research and development in the sector of wind power have made the industry highly sophisticated in the United States. According to a recent report released by the U.S. Department of Energy examining the overall state of clean energy technologies in the country, the swiftly rising stake of wind power in the country’s overall energy mix is highlighted. The report states that between 2008 and 2014, wind power accounted for a 31% share in the overall new power generation capacity added in the country. As of 2014, utility-scale onshore wind power production projects deployed across 39 states of the country had a combined capacity of more than 65,000 MW – enough to meet the electricity needs of more than 16 mn households. Projects that would add another 13,000 MW capacity were under construction by the first quarter of 2015.

The Rise and Rise of Wind Power in the U.S.
Wind power contributes to nearly 4.4% of the total electricity generated in the U.S. and the continuous upsurge in wind power generation capacity has yielded significant benefits for the country – it has reduced the annual water consumption of the country by more than 36 bn gallons and the annual carbon dioxide emissions by more than 115 mn metric tons. The U.S. currently ranks second in terms of cumulative wind power generation capacity. 23 states in the U.S. have nearly 500 MW of onshore wind power projects installed, and wind power exceeds 10% of the overall in-state electricity generation capacity in nine states.
Get Free Research PDF for more Professional and Technical industry insights:
Continued advancements in technology and the development of taller wind towers with longer blades and advanced turbines are making wind power more cost-competitive and efficient in the country. The U.S. DoE projects that owing to these developments, the wind power output of the country could rise by 67%.
Sustained Investments Aimed at Improving Wind Technology Pave Way to Cheaper Wind Power in the Country
Multiple factors, such as the DoE’s sustained investments in wind power for honing the technology and enabling the development of longer blades and taller turbines, and the installation of new transmission projects, have led to a significant reduction in wind power prices in the country over the past few years. From 7 cents per kWh in 2009 to an average of 2.4 cents per kWh in 2014, the sector of wind power has transformed into one of the most cost-effective power sources in the country. The excellent positioning of projects in the central part of the country is also a factor why wind power prices have become so affordable.
The rising coordination between grid operators and wind power producers has also improved the ability of the grid to accept higher levels of wind power. Federal policies are also assisting the increased deployment of investments in the U.S. wind power sector. Together, these attempts are assisting the development of the wind energy market in the U.S. and making wind power a larger contributor in the rapidly transforming U.S. energy production portfolio. With the favorable regulatory scenario, a continuous rise in investments for R&D activities, and newer projects being deployed on a regular basis, it will be no surprise if wind power accounts for the projected 20% share in the country’s overall electricity consumption by 2030.
Browse Industry Research Report with free Analysis: http://www.transparencymarketresearch.com/wind-energy-wind-turbine-market.html



 

Eólica en Canarias: Gas Natural Fenosa instalará 13 parques con 65 MW Industria

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Gas Natural Fenosa   invertirá cerca de 100 millones de euros para construir 65 MW de generación eólica en Gran Canaria y Fuerteventura. La construcción de estos proyectos está incluida en los objetivos para 2018 del Plan Estratégico recientemente presentado por GAS NATURAL FENOSA.
El Consejo de Gobierno canario autorizó el pasado lunes los proyectos de Montaña Perros, Triquivijate y Doramas, en la isla de Gran Canaria.

Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables ha inscrito finalmente un total de 65 megavatios (MW) eólicosdentro del cupo máximo de 450 MW que el Ministerio de Industria, Energía y Turismo abrió para las Islas Canarias y que contará con un régimen retributivo especial. La filial de GAS NATURAL FENOSA, sola o en consorcio con terceros, es la empresa con mayor participación en el cupo.
En Gran Canaria, Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables ha inscrito una potencia de 45 MW, que corresponde a 10 instalaciones: Piletas I, La Vaquería, Doramas, Triquivijate, Montaña Perros, La Sal, La Sal III, Balcón de Balos, Vientos del Roque y Haría. En Fuerteventura la compañía construirá tres parques, Tablada, Moralito y Fuerteventura Renovable II, que suman una potencia de 20 MW.
Con la confirmación de la inscripción por parte del Ministerio de Industria se cumple un trámite fundamental para el desarrollo de los proyectos. Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables continuará ahora el proceso de obtención del resto de autorizaciones necesarias para la construcción de los parques eólicos, con el objetivo de ponerlos en funcionamiento antes del 31 de diciembre de 2018, límite establecido para los proyectos incluidos en el cupo.
En este sentido, el Consejo de Gobierno canario aprobó el pasado 27 de junio la ejecución de los proyectos Montaña Perros, Triquivijate y Doramas, que suman 9,3 MW y están ubicados en la isla de Gran Canaria.
Inversión cercana a los 100 millones de euros
Los proyectos inscritos por Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables tienen una inversión asociada   de cerca de 100 millones de euros. Estas infraestructuras de energías renovables contribuirán a reducir en tres millones de toneladas la emisión de gases contaminantes en Canarias y permitirán un ahorro de 345 millones de euros en el coste de producción de energía eléctrica durante los 20 años que tienen de vida media este tipo de instalaciones.
Con el desarrollo de estos proyectos, cuya construcción está incluida en los objetivos para 2018 de su Plan Estratégico, GAS NATURAL FENOSA reafirma su compromiso con Canarias y con el sector eólico en una de las comunidades autónomas con mejor recurso eólico.
Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables
Gas Natural Fenosa Renovables cuenta actualmente en España con una potencia instalada en operación de 1.130 MW, de los que 961 MW corresponden a parques eólicos; 107 MW, a centrales minihidráulicas; y 62 MW, a plantas de cogeneración.

IRENA expects PV (photovoltaic) capacity between 1,760 and 2,500 GW by 2030

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The share of global electricity generated by solar photovoltaics (PV) could increase from 2% today to as much as 13% by 2030, according to a recent report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). It estimates that solar PV capacity could reach between 1,760 and 2,500 gigawatts (GW) by 2030, up from 227 GW today. 

 EU PVSEC is a fixed appointment in the calendar of PV experts - and has been for decades. In the 32nd edition from 20 to 24 June the global PV R&D community met in Munich, to discuss the latest developments and innovations. 50% of the participants were science and research specialists and 45% from industry, with technology development, manufacturing, and applications all represented.
EU PVSEC is global: Participants from 73 countries around the globe joined the event this year. At the same time EU PVSEC confirmed its strong European identity: 26 EU countries were represented this year, equivalent to 58% of the total number of participants. Together they form the global PV research and innovation community.
Conference Chair Professor Marko Topič (Chairman of the European Technology & Innovation Platform for Photovoltaics, and Head of the Laboratory of Photovoltaics and Optoelectronics of the University of Ljubljana) is very satisfied with this year's EU PVSEC: "The conference was highly successful. It offered a great variety of excellent presentations. Yasuhiro Matsuyama, Director New and Renewable Energy Division, Agency for Natural Resources and Energy, METI, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, Japan, announced the 21st century as the solar photovoltaic century. The conference offered a great scientific dialog and promotion of huge progress in photovoltaics. We are proud of the achievements presented by student award and poster award winners. We look forward to the sunny future!"

EU PVSEC Technical Programme Chair, Dr. Nigel Taylor, European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre: "EU PVSEC has been a great success again this year. With 1,742 participants it is confirmed as the world's largest PV research and innovation event. Silicon photovoltaics are of course a major theme and we have seen further important advances, such as the Hanwha Q-Cells record polysilicon module with an efficiency of 19.5%. But one the great things about our technology are the range of options both now and for future. For instance we had further confirmation that thin film products can now compete on efficiency, witnessed by the record efficiencies reported for CdTe and CIGSs modules. We have had a lot of focus on some new areas like perovskites, with studies on potential production processes but also on stability and environmental issues. Lastly the research community is embracing a new emphasis on PV as part of holistic energy solutions, whether as utility scale plant or as distributed generation. I look forward already to next year's event".

EU PVSEC Background
EU PVSEC takes place at different venues in Europe since 1977. The event uniquely combines scientific, technological, industrial and application-related issues from the perspective of research and development, industry and policy. With more than 1,000 keynote, plenary, oral and visual presentations, as well as several parallel workshops, expert panels and specific industry fora, the EU PVSEC counts as the most outstanding PV science-to-science and science-to-industry platform. The EU PVSEC conference program is coordinated by the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre. 




London Array offshore wind farm marks third anniversary

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The London Array, the world”s largest offshore wind farm, continues to break records as it marks three years of successful operations today.

The sophisticated 630-megawatt wind power project, the largest international investment of Abu Dhabi”s renewable energy company, Masdar, delivers clean and reliable energy to more than half-a-million homes throughout the United Kingdom.
Since its launch, London Array has produced a total 6,900,000 megawatt hours, MWh, of clean, renewable electricity, offsetting some 2,950,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide, equivalent to the annual emissions of around 900,000 cars on UK roads.
In December, 2015, the plant broke its own output record, generating 369,000 MWh of electricity in one month.
“Masdar has enhanced access to sustainable sources of energy through its continued development of renewable energy projects around the world,” said Mohamed Jameel Al Ramahi, Chief Executive Officer of Masdar. “The world”s largest operating offshore wind farm, London Array has contributed significantly to strengthening the share of clean energy in the United Kingdom”s energy mix over the last three years.”
Spread out across 100-square kilometres, equal to 10,000 football pitches, the construction of this massive offshore windfarm has pushed the limits of design and logistics. Its 175 wind turbines today power nearly one in 50 British homes.
Each wind turbine has a circumference that is equivalent to one and a half times the size of London”s Wembley Stadium footbalpitch. The turbines are designed to run for more than 20 years, 24-hours a day, seven days a week.
A joint venture between E.ON (30%), DONG Energy (25%), La Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (25%) and Masdar (20%), the London Array is located in the outer Thames Estuary, 20 kilometres off the coast of Kent in southeast England.
“The development of London Array has positioned Masdar as a leader in the offshore wind power sector and paved the way for the company to pursue further projects, such as the 402-megawatt Dudgeon offshore wind farm now under construction in the North Sea,” added Al Ramahi.
Dudgeon, which recently secured GBP1.3 billion in long-term financing, is the first UK offshore wind project to obtain financing under the UK government”s ”Contract for Difference”, or CfD, scheme.

On schedule to begin commercial operations by the second half of 2017, Dudgeon will deliver annual production of 1.7 terawatt-hours, TWh, of electricity, the combined output of 67 wind turbines. That is sufficient clean energy to power an estimated 410,000 UK homes and displace 893,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Other notable international wind power projects led by Masdar include the Port Victoria Wind Power Project in Seychelles and the 117 megawatt Tafila Wind Farm in Jordan.
“Wind energy is one of the most popular energy sources in the UK, and Masdar”s growing international footprint reflects our commitment to invest in the UK and support its efforts to expand access to safe, secure and affordable power,” Al Ramahi concluded.

Crisis amenaza a la eólica en Brasil

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La demanda de energía eólica en Brasil está frenando de golpe. En 2015, el país instaló 2,75 gigavatios en aerogeneradores, lo que le valió el cuarto puesto entre los mercados mundiales.
En lo que va de este año, no se vendió un solo contrato nuevo de energía proveniente de parques eólicos en las subastas, y General Electric, el principal proveedor, no anticipa que lleguen muchos.

La desaceleración es resultado de la depresión económica de Brasil, según Jérôme Pécresse, máximo responsable de la unidad de energía renovable. Se está agotando el financiamiento, los clientes no están pagando sus cuentas y las subastas de energía del Gobierno, que normalmente son el motor principal de los nuevos proyectos eólicos, han sido decepcionantes.
“Este año no tuvimos volúmenes designados”, dijo Pécresse en entrevista desde Sao Paulo. “No tenemos visibilidad sobre los futuros volúmenes a contratar y los clientes se atrasaron mucho con los pagos”.
Se espera que la industria eólica brasileña obtenga contratos este año para proveer electricidad proveniente de cerca de 500 megawatts en centrales eléctricas propuestas, según estimaciones de Bloomberg New Energy Finance. Y eso sólo sucederá si el Gobierno organiza más subastas de energía. Se pospuso un evento programado para julio para que pudieran participar miembros del nuevo Gobierno, según el Ministerio de Energía. No se anunció una nueva fecha. Hay una segunda subasta programada para octubre.
Riesgo de colapso. Eso no alcanza. El país necesita agregar unos 1,5 gigavatios por año para apoyar a las fábricas de turbinas y a otros proveedores, según GE.
“Estamos muy preocupados por las perspectivas para el mercado eólico de Brasil”, dijo Pécresse. “Existe el riesgo de que colapse la cadena de suministro”.
Las turbinas de GE responden por el 40% de la capacidad eólica instalada del país. Su presencia en Brasil creció después que la empresa adquirió a la francesa Alstom SA el año pasado.
El retroceso de la economía paralizó la demanda de electricidad. El consumo de energía en el país cayó 4,2% en el primer trimestre con relación al año anterior y el uso industrial retrocedió 7,5%, según la Agencia de Investigación Energética del Gobierno (EPE, por sus siglas en portugués). Según Thymos Energy, una consultora con sede en Sao Paulo, las distribuidoras de electricidad tienen cerca de 10% más de energía de la que necesitan.
‘Da miedo’. La economía en problemas obstruyó las inversiones en energía limpia. La debilidad de la moneda encarece la adquisición de piezas de máquinas importadas y el banco de desarrollo de Brasil, la entidad de préstamo más importante del país para el financiamiento a largo plazo, contuvo algunos tipos de préstamos y elevó sus tasas. Los bancos privados también se pusieron más restrictivos.



 
 
 

Wind energy in Germany: Nordex closed the first half of 2016 with a new record

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Nordex closed the first half of 2016 with a new record in German installations. The total of 134 new turbines installed marks an increase of 135 percent over the same period in the previous year (H1/2015: 57 turbines). At the same time, Nordex took increasingly larger turbines on line during this period, as a result of which average capacity per turbine rose from 2.3 MW to around 2.6 MW. In terms of output, new installations thus rose by 162 percent to 341 MW (H1/2015: 130 MW).


Despite the substantially larger volume, Nordex was able to execute all contracts on time and in accordance with the agreed terms and conditions. “Given the current political discussion in Germany, reliable deliveries are of enormous importance for our customers as this directly impacts the economic viability of the projects,” explains Jörg Hempel, the managing director responsible for the German market at Nordex. “What is more, we have in our current range an optimum turbine for every location. This is reflected in the substantial increase in success that we have achieved at locations with stronger wind conditions.” Sales volumes in these regions have now increased again to 23 percent (H1/2015: 7%).


Non-coastal regions still strong – coastal regions picking up

The N117/2400 Gamma turbines for IEC3 locations and the new N131/3000 have particularly been meeting with strong interest on the part of customers. A total of 107 of these turbines were installed in the first half of the year. In addition to non-coastal areas, however, the coastal regions with IEC1 and 2 locations, which Nordex addresses with its Delta models (N100/3300, N117/3000), have returned to the forefront. Nordex installed a total of 27 turbines from this range in the first half of the year.


The breakdown by German state shows that with 33 turbine installations Bavaria was again at the top followed by Baden-Württemberg with 22 turbines. “Considering that we installed 25 turbines there in the entire year in 2015, these are impressive figures,” says Hempel. Looking forward, Nordex is therefore optimistic about its market share. Experts forecast 30 percent growth in wind power in the first half of 2016. “Given the 162 percent increase in our new installed capacity, we are confident of achieving disproportionately strong growth in our market share in 2016.”



The Group has installed wind power capacity of more than 18 GW in over 25 markets. In 2015, Nordex and Acciona Windpower recorded combined sales of EUR 3.4 billion. The Company currently has over 4,800 employees. The production network comprises plants in Germany, Spain, Brazil, the United States and soon also India. The product range primarily concentrates on onshore turbines in the 1.5 - 3MW class addressing the requirements of developed as well as emerging markets. 


Wind power in Norway: Siemens to supply wind turbines for onshore wind farm

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Siemens has received an order to supply, install and commission 50 onshore wind turbines in Norway. Project developers are Zephyr AS and Norsk Vind Energi AS. Funds managed by BlackRock are providing equity financing for the project. The wind turbines, each with a capacity of 3.2 megawatts and a rotor diameter of 113 meters, will be erected in Rogaland south of Stavanger in Norway. The wind power plant Tellenes will produce clean energy equivalent to the annual consumption of 30,000 Norwegian households. 

Under the terms of an agreement Google will use the renewable energy produced by the wind turbines to power data centers in Europe. Siemens will also be responsible for operating and servicing the wind turbines under a long-term agreement.
"Technology companies such as Google are increasingly covering their rising energy demands with clean wind power," stated Thomas Richterich, CEO Onshore of Siemens Wind Power and Renewables Division. "We are proud to be part of this development with our direct drive technology. Tellenes will also be one of the largest onshore wind projects in Norway." Siemens will deliver its direct drive turbine SWT-3.2-113 for the Tellenes project. Construction will start in July 2016,  and the project is expected to be fully operational in late 2017.
The wind project will provide Google's European data centers with renewable energy for 12 years. This cross-border arrangement is possible thanks to Europe's increasingly integrated energy market. Especially the Scandinavian Nord Pool market allows Google to buy renewable energy with a Guarantee of Origin certified in Norway, and consume an equivalent amount of power elsewhere in Europe.




 

La eólica generó 500 TWh en España en 25 años de historia

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La eólica ha generado 500 TWh en España en sus 25 años de historia y en el primer semestre abasteció a 1 de cada 4 españoles. En sus 25 años de vida, la tecnología eólica en España ha generado más de 500 TWh, el equivalente a suministrar durante dos años todo el consumo eléctrico nacional actual. En el primer semestre de este año, el tercero de mayor generación eólica de la historia, fue la primera tecnología del sistema, con una cobertura de la demanda del 23,6%.

Según los datos que REE acaba de publicar sobre el sistema eléctrico español, hasta finales de 2015 se habían generado 482 TWh con eólica (la cifra de 500 TWh se alcanzó en abril de este año). Hay tres comunidades autónomas que han sobrepasado la cifra de 100 TWh generados gracias al viento desde 1990: Castilla y León, Galicia y Castilla la Mancha.
El primer semestre de 2016 ha sido el tercero de mayor generación eólica de la historia, con 28,6 TWh generados, sólo por detrás de 2013 y 2014. Pero ha sido el semestre en el que la cobertura de la demanda ha sido más alta, del 23,6%, por delante del 23,3% de 2013. Esto es debido a que, aunque la demanda es mayor que hace tres años, la generación autóctona ha sido menor, ya que se ha importado el equivalente al 3% de la generación. En total,  3,7 TWh que han venido en su mayor parte de Francia. De hecho, esta cifra supone un récord de saldo importador para un primer semestre, según los datos de REE.
El viento y la lluvia de esta primera mitad del año han presionado a la baja el precio de la electricidad. Como se puede ver en el gráfico, el valor medio del semestre del PVPC fue un 23% inferior al del año pasado. Un hogar que haya consumido 2.000 kWh en este periodo se ha ahorrado 55 euros respecto al año pasado.
precio PVPC
Fuente: REE, e-sios y elaboración AEE
Por otra parte, también el sector industrial se ha visto beneficiado, ya que el precio del mercado eléctrico ha sido considerablemente más bajo, un 36%. Una empresa que en este periodo haya consumido 10.000 MW se ha ahorrado 170.000 euros, el equivalente a siete salarios brutos medios españoles anuales.
precio mercado electrico
Fuente: REE, e-sios y elaboración AEE
Los 500 TWh eólicos han tenido un importante impacto sobre la economía española:
  • Gracias a ellos existe actualmente el sector industrial eólico español, que da trabajo a más de 20.000 familias en un sector industrial innovador y exportador (por más de 2.000 millones de euros al año).
  • Gracias al aprovechamiento del viento, el país se ha ahorrado la importación equivalente a 1 Peta Watio hora de gas natural, igual a la suma de la importación de gas de los últimos 3 años. En términos de carbón, el equivalente es de 125 millones de toneladas (casi el consumo acumulado de carbón de los últimos 10 años de todo el país).
  • Las emisiones de CO2 ahorradas han sido aproximadamente 300 millones de toneladas (si se calcula con un 50% de carbón sustituido y un 50% de gas). El equivalente a casi un año de emisiones de España.
  • Más de 800 ayuntamientos, la mayoría de ellos en zonas rurales, han visto incrementados sus ingresos y el empleo local gracias a los parques eólicos.


Two wind power plants to be built in South Pakistan

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China Three Gorges Corporation (CTG), one of the world's largest energy companies, has planned to start construction of two more wind power plants in energy starved Pakistan's southern province of Sindh later this month, officials said on Saturday. 

The two projects, Three Gorges Second Wind Farm Pakistan and Three Gorges Third Wind Farm Pakistan, with a designed capacity of 49.5 megawatt each, are among the 21 energy cooperation projects under the early harvest program of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC).
Wu Di, head of the administration department of the first phase of its wind energy project namely Three Gorges First Wind Farm Pakistan, said that China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited, a subsidiary of the CTG's international arm, will invest 224 million U.S. dollars in the upcoming two projects to be completed in 18 months in Jhimpir area of southern Thatta district in an attempt to ease the country's power shortfall which currently stands at around 6,000 MW in summer.
China Three Gorges South Asia Investment Limited has successfully established Three Gorges First Wind Farm Pakistan on a Build-Own-Operate model with a cost of 130.279 million U.S. dollars, which has been providing 49.5MW power since Nov. 25, 2014 after it was completed within 17 months.
Three Gorges First Wind Farm Pakistan, located 90 km east of the southern port city of Karachi and 80 km from Arabian Sea, produced 146.26 million KWh in one year with 33 wind turbines, fulfilling the needs of around 60,000 households.
The second and third phases of the project, with 33 wind turbines each, will start producing 99 MW electricity collectively by the end of next year, which will be capable of solving the energy issues of around 120,000 households in the country.
Pakistan has a 1,046-kilometer- long coastal line that has abundant wind resources with an average wind speed of 7.4 meters/second creating a huge potential of wind energy production.
According to Wu Di, Three Gorges First Wind Farm Pakistan provided 600 new jobs to local people during peak construction time and 35 jobs during operational stage, while the second and third phases will also create job opportunities for around 1,200 local Pakistanis during the highest construction time, and for around 70 locals during the operational period.
The 29-year-old engineer Malik Aitzaz Ahmad, who is working as an operation manager at Three Gorges First Wind Farm Pakistan, was employed by the CTG in September 2012 when he completed his electrical engineering degree at the North China Electric Power University, Beijing.
"The CTG believes in localization. I am a perfect example of it. Within a few years after joining the CTG, I have been promoted from an engineer to managerial post. The CTG is my mother company. I have learned a lot from it. My career is with it, because there are a lot of chances to grow," said Ahmad.


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La quema de carbón provoca 22.900 muertes en Europa

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En Europa, en 2013, las centrales de carbón causaron 22.900 muertes prematuras y unos costes de salud de 62.300 millones de euros. Las centrales españolas provocan en toda Europa 1.530 muertes prematuras.

La contaminación procedente de las centrales térmicas de carbón y sus impactos sobre la salud no conocen fronteras. Solo eliminando completamente el carbón se evitaría la muerte prematura de miles de personas en Europa. Así lo afirma el nuevo informe ‘La nube negra sobre Europa: efectos de la quema de carbón sobre la salud y la economía de la UE’, publicado por WWF junto a la Alianza para la Salud y el Medio Ambiente (HEAL) y la Red de Acción por el Clima en Europa (CAN). Las centrales europeas y nacionales causan en España 1.170 muertes prematuras,  comparables con las 1.128 muertes en accidente de tráfico en el mismo año de referencia 2013.
El informe “La nube negra sobre Europa: efectos de la quema de carbón sobre la salud y la economía de la UE” analiza los impactos sobre la salud provenientes de la contaminación del aire de todas las plantas de carbón de las que se tienen datos (257 de las 280). Este informe revela que en 2013 las emisiones provenientes del carbón en toda Europa fueron responsables de más de 22.900 muertes prematuras (comparables con las 26.000 muertes en accidente de tráfico en el mismo año en Unión Europea), decenas de miles de casos de mala salud por enfermedades del corazón o bronquitis, y un gasto de hasta 62.300 millones de euros en costes sanitarios. Por primera vez, el informe analiza cómo viaja el polvo nocivo producido por estas centrales a través de las fronteras europeas, y el efecto que tiene dentro y fuera.
Los cinco países que más muertes provocan fuera y dentro de su territorio son Polonia (5.830 muertes prematuras), Alemania (4.350), Reino Unido (2.870). Rumanía (2.170) y Bulgaria (1.570).  España es el sexto país responsable en muertes prematuras causadas por las plantas de carbón, con un total de 1.530 en 2013, de las cuales 840 se producen en nuestro país. Es decir, las centrales españolas de carbón provocaron en 2013, fuera de sus fronteras, 690 muertes prematuras. En España, la central que más muertes prematuras genera es la de  “Andorra”, en Teruel; y las que más contaminan son las de ‘Aboño’, en Asturias, ‘As Pontes’, en Galicia y ‘Litoral’, en Almería.
Por su parte, los peores impactos sobre la salud debido a la quema de carbón los sufren los ciudadanos de Alemania, con 3.630 muertes prematuras provocadas por las centrales europeas (incluyendo las del propio país), seguida de Reino Unido (2.100), Polonia (1.860), Italia (1.610), Francia (1.380), Rumanía (1.280) y España (1.170).
Además de las muertes prematuras, los contaminantes también causan otras enfermedades, como cerca de 11.800 nuevos casos de bronquitis crónicas y 538.000 millones de ataques de asma en niños. Aproximadamente 21.000 ingresos hospitalarios y 6,6 millones de pérdidas de días de trabajo están relacionados con las emisiones de las centrales de carbón en Europa.
Los impactos del carbón en la salud, junto con la reducción de la productividad causada por la abstención en el trabajo, están generando un gran impacto económico: entre 32.400 y 62.300 millones de euros en 2013. Estos costes no están cubiertos por el sector del carbón sino que los asume la sociedad, incluyendo los costes directos e indirectos en la salud que recaen sobre los presupuestos nacionales en sanidad, costes soportados a través de tratamientos individuales para la gente afectada y pérdidas económicas asociadas a la reducción en la productividad.
Según Raquel García, técnico del programa de clima y energía de WWF España: ‘El  cierre de las centrales térmicas de carbón es imprescindible para cumplir con el acuerdo de París, en el que se acordó entre todos los países asistentes limitar el aumento de la temperatura global por debajo de los 1,5ºC y el 18% de las emisiones de efecto invernadero de Europa proceden de las 280 centrales de carbón’. Y añade: ‘En España, pedimos el fin de las subvenciones al carbón en 2018 y el cierre de las centrales de carbón en 2025, con una transición justa para el sector minero. El objetivo final es un modelo 100% renovable para España en 2050’.
La nota positiva del informe es que ya hay siete países de la Unión Europea que no queman carbón: Bélgica, Chipre, Estonia, Letonia, Lituania, Luxemburgo y Malta. Portugal también se ha comprometido a dejar el carbón para 2020, y Reino Unido reducirá gradualmente el carbón para 2025. En Austria, las empresas que tienen sus propias centrales de carbón anunciaron que podían desmantelarlas todas para 2025.
La OMS apoya el informe “La nube negra sobre Europa”
“La contaminación del aire es responsable de millones de muertes en todo el mundo. El incremento de las temperaturas, consecuencia del cambio climático, sólo empeorarán el problema. Las buena noticia es que reducir nuestro uso de combustibles fósiles – incluyendo las nocivas emisiones del carbón – ofrece una oportunidad única para mejorar la calidad del aire y mitigar el cambio climático, y por consiguiente proteger la salud es el gran reto de salud pública de este siglo”, sostiene el doctor Roberto Bertollini, científico jefe y representante de la Organización Mundial de la Salud en la Unión Europea.



 

Siemens expands wind power portfolio with 8 MW offshore wind turbine

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Siemens' direct drive wind turbine technology for offshore and onshore wind turbines reaches the next development milestone: The latest addition to the offshore direct drive platform, the SWT-8.0-154, represents yet another significant step towards grid parity for offshore wind. The 8-MW turbine is based on the existing offshore direct drive platform, incorporating only smaller evolutions. 

The first SWT-8.0-154 will be installed in early 2017, and will allow for up to 10% higher annual energy production (AEP) under offshore wind conditions as compared to the 7-MW model. Once again, the offshore direct drive platform enables a significant reduction in the Levelized Cost of Energy (LCoE) at low risk. Type certification for the 8-MW turbine is expected to be obtained at the beginning of 2018. At the same time, Siemens' high performance wind turbine for medium to low onshore wind sites has reached the next milestone: The SWT-3.3-130 has successfully obtained type certification from DNV GL.
The upgrade of the offshore direct drive wind turbine to eight megawatts (MW) is made possible through the introduction of new magnet technology with an even higher grade than that introduced in the SWT-7.0-154. This enables a rated power increase of more than 14% from 7.0 to 8.0 MW. Similar to the previous upgrade from 6.0 MW to 7.0 MW, the 8-MW turbine will benefit from the established supply chain and proven components of offshore direct drive technology. These components include the B75 blade and the medium-voltage transformer of the SWT-8.0-154. Since the higher rating will be achieved with only a few component upgrades, customers will again benefit from fast time-to-market and low risk as the key value drivers.
"We are relentlessly working on lowering the levelized cost of energy, and the offshore direct drive platform enables us to do this with the lowest possible risk," says Michael Hannibal, CEO for Offshore at Siemens' Wind Power and Renewables Division. "With the same proven reliability as our successful 6 and 7-MW models, the SWT-8.0-154 will be the new benchmark for gearless offshore wind technology on the market."
Siemens' direct drive technology has an excellent track record. Approximately 150 offshore direct drive wind turbines rated at 6 MW have already been installed and commissioned. Two SWT-7.0-154 prototypes, installed at the Østerild test site in Northwestern Denmark, are performing well above expectations. The SWT-8.0-154 prototype is planned to be installed by early 2017. Onshore, a total of 1,240 Siemens direct drive onshore wind turbines are in operation worldwide as of end of March 2016.
DNV GL type certification for SWT-3.3-130
Siemens has obtained type certification from the DNV GL certifying body for the company's innovative SWT-3.3-130 onshore wind turbine. The high performance direct drive machine for medium to low wind conditions is rated at 3.3 MW and equipped with a 130-meter diameter rotor. It introduces a new generation of the proven direct drive onshore product platform. The official certificate is a further step on the way to serial production of the turbine. As part of the certification process, DNV GL experts were provided full access to the engineering design details, to Siemens assembly facilities and to the SWT-3.3-130 prototype installed at the test site in Høvsøre, Denmark. Evaluation included assessment of the maturity of the turbine design, its manufacturing, installation and commissioning processes and the related documentation.
"Innovation is an ongoing process in the development of our direct drive technology," states Morten Pilgaard Rasmussen, Head of Technology at Siemens Wind Power and Renewables Division. "Our direct drive technology featuring permanent magnet generators gives us a solid, forward-looking base to meet current and future demands in offshore and onshore markets."

 

 
 

Eólica en Australia: Acciona Energía construirá su cuarto parque eólico

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El Gobierno del Estado de Victoria comprará certificados de energía eólica asociados al parque eólico Mt Gellibrand, de 66 MW.

Una vez operativo, en 2018, el parque producirá energías renovables equivalentes al consumo de unos 60.000 hogares.
Acciona Energía iniciará la construcción un nuevo proyecto eólico en Australia a comienzos del próximo año, tras resultar adjudicataria del concurso impulsado por el Gobierno de Victoria para la compra de certificados de energía verde correspondientes a instalaciones renovables ubicadas en ese estado.
La resolución permitirá la construcción y puesta en marcha de 66 MW del proyecto eólico Mt Gellibrand, lo que redundará en el fomento de la inversión y la creación de empleo en la región, según ha declarado Andrew Thompson, director de ACCIONA Energy Oceania.
La iniciativa del Gobierno de Victoria –al igual que las de otros gobiernos de estados y territorios de Australia- supone un impulso relevante para acometer proyectos renovables en Australia, y contribuir así al cumplimiento de los compromisos adquiridos por el país en la Cumbre del Cambio Climático en París. “Se trata de una noticia muy positiva para el crecimiento de ACCIONA en Victoria, donde ya operamos el parque eólico de Waubra, de 192 MW, y tenemos varios proyectos eólicos adicionales en desarrollo”, ha afirmado Thompson.

Operativo en 2018

Los trabajos de construcción del nuevo parque eólico, situado a 65 km al oeste de Geelong, está previsto que se inicien a comienzos del próximo año, de forma que pueda entrar en servicio en 2018. Una vez operativo, Mt Gellibrand producirá energía renovable equivalente al consumo eléctrico de unos 60.000 hogares, evitando la emisión a la atmósfera de unas 200.000 toneladas de CO2 en centrales de carbón cada año.
Mt Gellibrand será el cuarto proyecto eólico en propiedad de ACCIONA Energía en Australia, tras Cathedral Rocks (64 MW en South Australia), Waubra (192 MW en Victoria) y Gunning (46,5 MW en Nueva Gales del Sur). Australia es, con sus 302,5 MW, el cuarto país en implantación eólica de la compañía tras España, Estados Unidos y México.
Junto al desarrollo de sus instalaciones propias, la compañía puso en marcha en 2014, como contratista para un cliente, una planta fotovoltaica de 20 MW nominales (24 MWp) en el Territorio de la Capital Australiana (ACT), la mayor parte del país en aquel momento.
ACCIONA está también presente en Australia a través de su división de Infraestructuras, que participa en diversos proyectos viarios, ferroviarios y de gestión del agua a lo largo del país.

Wind energy in Australia: Acciona to build fourth wind farm in Victoria

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The Government of Victoria will purchase green energy certificates linked to 66MW of renewable energy produced at Mt Gellibrand wind farm. Mt Gellibrand will generate enough renewable energy to power around 60,000 households when it enters into service in 2018.

ACCIONA Energy will begin construction of its Mt Gellibrand wind farm in Victoria early next year after winning a groundbreaking tender held by the state government for the purchase of green energy certificates linked to renewable energy generated in Victoria.
ACCIONA Energy Oceania Managing Director Andrew Thomson said the State Government's decision to purchase green energy certificates linked to 66MW of the planned Mount Gellibrand wind farm had secured the project's future, driving job creation and investment in the region.
The Government of Victoria's tender for green energy certificates, like similar programs of other State and Territory governments, are a major boost for renewable energy projects. The generation of new, zero-emissions electricity will also help Australia lower its carbon emissions and meet commitments entered into at the Paris Climate Change Conference last year.
"This is very positive news for the growth of ACCIONA in Victoria, where we already operate the 192MW Waubra wind farm and where we have a number of additional wind energy projects in development," Mr Thomson said.

Start-up in 2018

Construction work at Mt Gellibrand, located 65km west of Geelong, is expected to begin in early 2017, with entry into service scheduled for 2018. Once completed, it will generate enough clean energy to power more than 60,000 households, while avoiding the emission of around 200,000 metric tons of CO2 to the atmosphere from coal-fired power stations every year.
Mt Gellibrand will be ACCIONA's fourth wind farm in Australia, after Cathedral Rocks (64 MW in South Australia), Waubra (192 MW in Victoria) and Gunning (46.5 MW in New South Wales). With a total of 302.5 MW in operational capacity, Australia is Acciona Energy’s fourth largest market after Spain, the US and Mexico.
Together with developing its own facilities, in 2014 ACCIONA put a 20 MW (24 MWp) nominal power photovoltaic plant into service for a customer in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). At the time, the solar plant was Australia’s largest.
ACCIONA is also present in Australia with its Infrastructure division, which is involved in a number of road, light rail and water projects across the country.


India to add 4,300 MW wind power capacity in 2016-17

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India's wind power capacity is set to grow 30% or 4,300 MW in 2016-17, helped by capacity addition in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, among others,Suzlon Group Chairman Tulsi Tanti said. At present, the total wind power installed capacity in the country is around 27 GW, accounting for about 9% of India's total installed capacity.




"India is a very promising and demanding market. It is set to grow by 30 per cent annually. In 2016-17, the country will add about 4,300 MW of wind power," Tanti told reporters here.


Suzlon has its rotor blades manufacturing facility in Bhuj and maintains sites for some of its clients.


Interacting with the media through video conferencing from Germany, Tanti said: "Most capacity will be added byAndhra Pradesh followed by Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Rajasthan and Maharashtra. Some capacity will be added in Tamil Nadu."


In a blog post in April, the founder of India's leading wind turbine maker had termed 2015-16 as a "historic year" for the Indian renewable industry. Wind energy surpassed all its previous records with about 3,300 MW installation, a growth of 43 per cent. The previous highest installation was around 3,196 MW in 2011.


"India's wind energy sector witnessed unprecedented acceleration last year, propelled by technology and conducive policy environment for renewables, by central and state governments. The growth was way higher than the industry estimates of 30-40 per cent," he had said.


The industry has attracted an investment of over $3.16 billion and the cumulative installation of the sector is about 64% of India's total grid interactive renewable energy capacity. This is equivalent to reducing carbon emission by over 58.56 million tonnes per annum or planting over 1.76 billion trees, Tanti had noted.


Globally, India is at the fourth spot in terms of wind power installed capacity after China, the USand Germany. The Centre has set an ambitious target of achieving 175 GW capacity from renewable energy resources by 2022 and of this, 60 GW is seen to come from wind power.


Tanti sounded positive on Suzlon's performance in 2016-17 during his video conferencing with reporters.


"We will achieve a market share of 40 per cent in 2016-17 and will generate cash from operations," he added.


In 2015-16, the firm had a market share of 27% in India, up from 19% in 2014-15. Last fiscal, Suzlon commissioned 900 MW wind energy projects, of which 520 MW was commissioned in the January-March quarter alone.







 
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