Alstom to install 26 MW wind farm in Wales, supplying clean energy to the equivalent of approximately 30,000 homes

The 26 MW Maesgwyn wind farm, to be built on the site of the former Maesgwyn and Derlwyn coal mines north of Glyn-neath, South Wales, will comprise 13 of Alstoms ecotècnia 80* wind turbines and is expected to become operational in October 2010. Under the terms of the contract, Alstom will supply, install and commission the wind farm, followed by operation and maintenance for the first five years.
 
Maesgwyn is Alstoms second wind project in the UK following a contract signed earlier this year for the 15 MW Clachan Flats project in Scotland. It marks the entry into the UK market for Alstoms ecotècnia 80 wind turbine. It is also the first wind farm project for Pennant Walters, whose main business activity is mining and heavy machinery leasing but which has diversified into renewable energy and general development (such as the new Ffos Las racecourse) in recent years.

The contract, worth approximately 30 million euros, follows another recent order for Alstom in Wales announced in April, the turnkey 2,000 MW Pembroke gas-fired power station being built for RWE, and underlines Alstoms capability to supply power generation across the whole range of fuel types, both conventional and renewable.

Stephen Burgin, Country President and Head of Power for Alstom in the UK, said: Alstom is a significant force in UK power generation, which this second project this year in Wales further highlights. Alstom, with a global renewables portfolio including hydro and geothermal capabilities, is now establishing a strong UK position in renewable energy and this contract puts us firmly on the renewables map.
 
Approximately 30-35% of the UKs electricity generating capacity will need to come from renewable sources by 2020 to meet the binding targets of the 2008 Climate Change Act, compared with less than 5% today. To meet this target, the UK will need 14 GW of onshore wind capacity, compared with approximately 3 GW today.
 
Editors Note
*The ecotècnia 80 2.0 has an output of 2,000 kilowatts (kW) or 2 megawatts (MW) per unit and a rotor of 80 metres.

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