REpower delivers six 5M turbines for the first Belgian offshore wind farm ?Thornton Bank?
Hamburg (euro adhoc) -
- Conclusion of contract today in Oostende/Belgium - Investment volume amounts to EUR 153.0 million
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Hamburg, 23 May 2007. REpower Systems AG (WKN 617703) will erect six wind energy turbines of the type REpower 5M for "Thornton Bank", the first offshore wind farm in Belgium. The German manufacturer of wind energy turbines undertakes to deliver all in all 30 megawatts (MW) for the first of altogether three construction phases of the offshore wind farm which will cover a total capacity of 300 MW and is to be established in a water depth of 25 metres at about 30 kilometres off the Belgian coast. Contractual partner is the Belgian company C-Power. Investment volume for the first construction phase adds up to EUR 153.0 million. The project is considered to be another crucial step for the promotion of offshore wind energy in European waters and involves amongst others the French group EDF Energies Nouvelles. REpower and this utility had already committed themselves within the scope of a framework agreement covering several major onshore projects.
The contract was concluded today in Oostende/Belgium in the presence of, among others, the former Belgian Vice Prime Minister Mr. Johan Vande Lanote. Afterwards, Prof. Fritz Vahrenholt, Chairman of the Management Board of REpower Systems AG, stated: "Two and a half years after the onshore erection of the 5M prototype and almost one year after the first installation of a 5M turbine offshore, this is another important day for REpower - this time with regard to the large-scale production of turbines." He adds, "This is one of the first commercial offshore wind farms in Europe. The high share in debt financing is reflecting the great confidence in REpower´s reliable technology. The further expansion of offshore wind energy in Europe can no longer be contained."
For the first time, a so-called gravity-based foundation will be used for each of the six 5M wind energy turbines. "Contrary to the latticed jacket structure anchored with four piles in the seabed which was used for our first offshore turbine of the Scottish project Beatrice, the ballast concrete structure in Thornton Bank puts us in a position to use another type of foundation", explains Dr. Martin Skiba, Head of the Offshore Business Unit at REpower.
The assembly of the six turbines is scheduled from the beginning of next year in the new 5M production facility in Bremerhaven. REpower intents to accomplish the erection and commissioning of the turbines in the North Sea by end of September 2008.
end of announcement euro adhoc 23.05.2007 11:25:00
Further inquiry note:
Thomas Schnorrenberg
Investor Relations Manager
Telefon: +49(0)40-53930-723
E-Mail: t.schnorrenberg@repower.de
Branche: Alternative energy
ISIN: DE0006177033
WKN: 617703
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