Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP) has placed an order for 135 MW of V126-3.45 MW turbines – representing the company’s second order with Vestas in the U.S. – for the Blue Cloud Wind Project in Texas.
Vestas will also service the project for 25 years. Including previously purchased components qualifying for the production tax credit (PTC), the Blue Cloud Wind Project has a total capacity of 148.4 MW, says Vestas.
Vestas will supply and commission the turbines, with delivery expected to begin in the second quarter of this year. Commissioning is planned for the end of 2018.
The 25-year service agreement is an Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) deal, Vestas’ full-scope service package designed to maximize uptime and energy production. With the 25-year term, CIP is ensuring optimized performance for the lifetime of the project, according to Vestas.
”Vestas has proven itself during the construction of Bearkat I, and we are pleased to continue our successful partnership with Blue Cloud. We are keen to further expand our footprint in the U.S. in cooperation with Vestas,” says Christian Skakkebaek, senior partner at CIP.
Developer Tri Global Energy (TGE) has also announced the closing of financing and start of construction for the project, which is located in Bailey and Lamb counties on 19,000 leased acres of privately owned farm land. TGE developed the Blue Cloud Wind Energy Project using its proprietary business model, the Wind Force Plan, which allows local landowners and community investors the opportunity to partner with and have a substantial ownership in wind farms leased on their land.
Since founding the community-sponsored wind energy project in 2013, TGE has been a manager and member and the exclusive project developer. CIP purchased the wind farm in July 2016.
