GE has announced a new wind farm deal in Australia and the opening of a new wind energy service center in Brazil.
With its consortium partner, Downer EDI Ltd., GE has been awarded a contract to supply 67 turbines to the $350 million Boco Rock wind farm in New South Wales, Australia. The order includes 58 1.7 MW and nine 1.6 MW wind turbines. In addition to supplying and commissioning the wind turbine generators, GE says it will provide $50 million worth of maintenance services over 10 years.
Continental Wind Partners (CWP), the developer of Boco Rock wind farm, has been working with GE since the development phase in 2011. Thai-listed Electricity Generating Public Co. Ltd. will take 100% ownership of the project from CWP and retain CWP to manage the wind farm locally.
Separately, GE has completed the first of two new wind service centers slated to open in Brazil this year. The facilities represent a $1.5 million investment and will employ more than 100 service technicians. Engineers at the new centers will monitor wind operations and weather, as well as dispatch local technicians to wind farms to perform maintenance and maintain a store of essential parts.
