Under the contract, Vestas will deliver 75xV110-2.0 MW turbines to the 150MW Route 66 wind-energy project near Amarillo, Texas with deliveries set for early 2015 and commissioning of the project in mid-2015.
Under the MSA, Vestas is likely to supply turbines totalling up to 568MW for multiple First Wind projects. It will manufacture blades, nacelles and towers for the Route 66 project at its factories in Colorado.
The MSA will also see Vestas providing ten-year service agreements using Active Output Management (AOM) 5000, an energy-based availability performance guarantee that ensures minimum lost production of the wind farm, and if the agreed threshold is unmet, liquidated damages are paid to cover the lost production.
The service option features the VestasOnline surveillance system that remotely controls and monitors the turbines supports preventive maintenance practices that minimize turbine downtime, Vestas claims.
Vestas US and Canada sales and service division president Chris Brown said the company started working with First Wind a few years ago and developed a strong partnership with one of the leading US energy developers.
"The first project we did with them in Maine has achieved 99 per cent availability since it was commissioned last year. We’re confident we can continue that kind of success with our proven products and services," added Brown.
First Wind CEO Paul Gaynor said, "We’ve been pleased with the performance of the Vestas equipment we’ve had operating since 2012. Vestas has been a good partner and we’re looking forward to installing their latest technology at sites across the country."
