American Superconductor (AMSC), a global power technologies company, has won a new multi-year order worth approximately $445m from Sinovel Wind Group, a wind turbine manufacturer.
Under the terms of the agreement, AMSC will begin shipping core electrical components for Sinovel’s 1.5MW wind turbines (branded the SL1500) in early 2011. Shipments under the new contract will span a period of 30 months. AMSC is currently shipping core electrical components that extends through early 2011.
AMSC’s core electrical components include the company’s proprietary PowerModule PM3000W power converter and enable reliable wind turbine operation by controlling power flows, regulating voltage, monitoring system performance and controlling the pitch of wind turbine blades to maximize efficiency.
Greg Yurek, founder and CEO of AMSC, said: “Since starting up production in 2006, Sinovel has grown more rapidly than any wind turbine manufacturer in the world. This new order will support Sinovel’s continued production of SL1500s.
“At the same time, Sinovel plans to increase production of its 3MW wind turbines, which are installed and operating in China’s first offshore wind farm and also being marketed for onshore applications. In addition, Sinovel expects to install its 5MW prototype by the end of 2010.
“These higher power systems, which Sinovel developed utilizing AMSC Windtec designs, are also equipped with AMSC’s power electronics.”
The company increased its shipments from approximately 1,500 MW in 2008 to approximately 3,900 MW in 2009.
According to a report from Make Consulting 2010, China has installed more than 13,000MW of wind power in 2009. Make expects that China will increase its total amount of grid-connected wind power from approximately 19,000MW at the end of 2009 to approximately 130,000MW by the end of 2015.