REpower to build 150MW wind farm in China

Germany's REpower Systems said today's its China venture received a contract to build a 150 megawatt wind farm in Shandong.

The company said delivery of the first 75 turbines is scheduled for June 2008 to April 2009, with an option for an additional 75 turbines for 2009 to 2010.

Financial terms of the contract were not disclosed.

"With the new NDRC (National Development and Reform Commission) quota regulation demanding 8 percent of non-hydro renewables in 2020, energy-hungry China will certainly secure a sustainable position among the top three wind power markets in the world," said Fritz Vahrenholt, CEO of REpower Systems and chairman of REpower North.

The project will use the 2 MW MM82 turbine, which REpower said is certified for the highest wind speeds and can be installed in the extreme wind speeds regions of South China as well as in the high average wind speeds regions of northern China.

REpower received the contract from Beijing's Guohua Energy Investment and Australia-based Roaring 40s Renewable Energy.

Guohua is a subsidiary of Shenhua Group, while Roaring 40s is a joint venture between Australia's Hydro Tasmania and Hong Kong-based CLP.

The REpower North venture, majority controlled by REpower, includes Chinese state-owned North Heavy Industry, and U.K.-based Honiton Energy.

REPower said Honiton plans to purchase cold climate versions of the MM82 turbines from REpower North for projects in Inner Mongolia in 2009.