Xcel Energy has placed an order with Vestas to supply 184MW turbines for its Blazing Star Wind Project in Minnesota.
Image: Vestas’ turbine in Denmark. Photo: Courtesy of Vestas Wind Systems A/S.
As part of the deal, Vestas has agreed to supply its V120-2.2 MW turbines at 2.0 operating mode. The full project size includes previously purchased 2MW Vestas PTC components.
The Blazing Star wind project is part of Xcel Energy’s proposed multi-state wind expansion to add 3.68GW in new wind generation to its system, across 12 projects located in seven states within its territory. This expansion will increase the company’s wind capacity to more than 10GW by the end of 2021.
Xcel Energy Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota president Chris Clark said: “We look forward to working with Vestas on the first phase of the Blazing Star wind project. By investing in low-cost wind energy, we provide the benefits of clean, affordable energy to our customers while creating jobs and value for the local economy.
“These projects will help keep energy costs low while contributing to our vision of achieving 85% carbon-free energy by 2030 in the Upper Midwest.”
The Danish turbine-maker stated that its V120-2.2 MW is the latest extension to its 2MW platform and is built on more than 40GW of 2MW turbines installed globally.
It is claimed that there is 19% increase in swept area than the previous 2MW model and the new V120-2.2MW is expected to be crucial in expanding wind projects into low and medium wind speed regions. This can help in harnessing wind resources, which were previously thought to have been uneconomical.
Vestas US and Canada sales and service division president Chris Brown said: “We are pleased to expand our portfolio with Xcel Energy as part of their ambitious wind expansion.
“The V120-2.2 MW is an increasingly important part of our North American fleet of customisable, flexible products that unlock previously untouched wind resources”.
In July, Vestas secured an order to supply 20 of its V126-3.45MW turbines for the 69MW Kosava I wind park in Serbia, from MK Fintel Wind, a long-term customer of the company. Vestas stated this is a customised solution and is the largest order in the country.