Two large wind turbine orders, one in the USA, the other in Finland, have been awarded to Siemens recently. The first is from Westar Energy, to supply, install and provide service for 122 wind turbines, amounting to 280 MW, for the Western Plains project to be located near Spearville, Kansas. Installation is scheduled to begin in early summer 2016, with the start of operations expected by early 2017. Service and maintenance will include remote monitoring and diagnostics.
With over 5000 WTGs installed in the US to date, Siemens has made a significant contribution to wind energy in America. The project will feature Siemens SWT-2.3-108 wind turbines (pictured) each with a power rating of 2.3 MW and 53 metre blades.
The second order is the company’s first commercial offshore wind order from Finland. It will supply, install and commission 10 WTGs, each with a capacity of 4 MW and a rotor diameter of 130 m, for the Tahkoluoto offshore wind farm in the Baltic Sea.
The customer is Suomen Hyotytuuli Oy, a wind power producer owned by eight Finnish utilities, headquartered in Pori. Installation is scheduled to begin in the summer of 2017 with the start of operations expected for autumn 2017.
