Vestas has received an order from Xcel Energy to provide 184 MW of V120-2.2 MW wind turbines delivered in 2.0 MW operating mode.
The order is for the 200 MW Blazing Star Wind Project in Minnesota. The full project includes previously purchased 2 MW Vestas components qualifying for the production tax credit.
The Blazing Star Wind Project is part of Xcel Energy’s proposed multi-state wind expansion to add 3,680 MW of new wind generation across 12 projects in seven states throughout its territory. This expansion will increase Xcel Energy’s wind capacity to more than 10,000 MW by the end of 2021.
“We look forward to working with Vestas on the first phase of the Blazing Star wind project. By investing in low-cost wind energy, we provide the benefits of clean, affordable energy to our customers while creating jobs and value for the local economy,” says Chris Clark, president of Xcel Energy Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota. “These projects will help keep energy costs low while contributing to our vision of achieving 85 percent carbon-free energy by 2030 in the Upper Midwest”.
“We are pleased to expand our portfolio with Xcel Energy as part of their ambitious wind expansion,” adds Chris Brown, president of Vestas’ sales and service division in the U.S. and Canada. “The V120-2.2 MW is an increasingly important part of our North American fleet of customizable, flexible products that unlock previously untouched wind resources.”
The V120-2.2 MW is the latest extension to Vestas’ 2 MW platform. With a 19% larger swept area than the previous 2.0 MW model, the V120-2.2 MW is suited for regions with low and medium wind speeds, says Vestas.
The new order includes supply and commissioning of the turbines, as well as a 10-year service agreement, designed to ensure optimized performance for the lifetime of the project. Turbine delivery will begin in the third quarter of 2019.
