Wind News

Monday 18 January 2010

Wind energy firm RES is to expand into South Africa

RES moves into South Africa

International wind energy project specialist RES has announced the acquisition of a portfolio of wind power projects in South Africa which marks the RES Group's first step into that market.

The projects, which are at an early stage of development, have an estimated installed capacity of almost 300MW. They will be developed by a newly-formed fully-owned subsidiary of the RES Group, RES Southern Africa. The subsidiary is based in Cape Town and has started to build the local team that will develop the projects and also assess further opportunities in the South African renewable energy market.

Stephen Balint, strategy and communications director of RES Group, said: "We are delighted to have completed this deal, which establishes a strong position for us in the market. We have identified South Africa as a substantial growth area for our business. The need to meet growing electricity demand, combined with the need to reduce carbon emissions in response to the pressures of climate change, means there is great potential to exploit the country's abundant wind and solar energy resources."

International law firm advises on German onshore wind transaction

International law firm Watson, Farley & Williams has advised German wind farm developer PNE WIND AG on the sale of seven onshore wind farms to German renewable energy company EnBW Erneuerbare Energien GmbH.

PNE WIND AG is to provide seven onshore wind power farms with a total capacity of 53MW, totaling 38 wind turbines, to EnBW Erneuerbare Energien GmbH. A Watson, Farley & Williams team, led by partner Dr Malte Jordan, advised PNE WIND AG on the disposal. The team also included partner Gerrit Bartsch, with assistance from associates Wolfram Böge and Dr Christine Bader.

Commenting, Dr Malte Jordan, partner in the international corporate group of Watson, Farley & Williams, said: "This is the second successful onshore wind farm transaction between PNE WIND AG and EnBW Erneuerbare Energien GmbH. We have also advised PNE WIND on its first disposal at the beginning of 2009 and believe that the two companies will work together again in the future."

Skykon establishes wind turbine manufacturing base in China

International turbine tower manufacturer Skykon A/S has finalised negotiations with Chinese authorities and other stakeholders allowing the company to set up a scalable production of composite components for the wind turbine industry.

An agreement on the acquisition of factory buildings in Xuzhou, Jiangsu Province, has been signed and Skykon has initiated the development of its new Asian organisation. The main products to be produced in Xuzhou are blade moulds, including the plugs on which the moulds are built. In addition, the factory will manufacture a series of fibreglass components for blades and nacelles for Skykon's current customers as well as new customers in the region. Production will commence in February 2010.

Chief executive of Skykon, Jesper Øhlenschlæger, said: "We are currently witnessing a booming market for blade moulds in China. Several newcomers are entering the Asian market, and they all need this strategic manufacturing equipment. In addition many of the established companies are developing new generations of larger capacity and higher quality blades. These factors will drive the market in the coming years."

GCube to insure three solar power projects in North America

Global renewable energy projects insurer GCube has been awarded underwriting contracts for three solar power projects in North America.

The initiatives are all based in Ontario, Canada and will generate a combined output of more than 55MW. The three projects, First Light (9.1MW), Arnprior (24.3MW) and Starwood (22.35MW), are ground mounted photovoltaic plants that have been supported by Ontario's Renewable Energy Standard programme - providing small electricity generators with a standard pricing regime and a streamlined process. As part of the agreement, GCube will underwrite all operational risks associated with the projects in order to safeguard them for the duration of their anticipated 25-year life.

Fraser McLachlan, chief executive at GCube, said: "Together, these projects represent a significant milestone in the development of the international solar power markets. Over the past five years the industrial solar market has battled with issues such as scalability, speed of deployment and grid impact in its quest to develop a commercially relevant proposition for the market. Now, for the first time, we are beginning to see the initial results of these challenges, as the industry capitalises on technical and engineering innovations from around the world."

Theolia wind portfolio sale

Supplier of electricity from wind power Theolia has sold a wind portfolio in France, with a capacity of 47MW, to Boralex, a Canadian company.

The portfolio consists of a 7MW wind farm in Côtes d'Armor, a 30MW wind project located in Seine-Maritime and a 10MW wind project l'Eure-et-Loir. The construction of each wind farm will be managed by Theolia France and are due to be commissioned in mid-2010.

Commenting on the deal, Marc van't Noordende, chief executive of Theolia, said: "Thanks to this sale Theolia exceeds its target announced at the beginning of this year to sell 200 MW of wind projects and assets in 2009."