Suzlon signs 42 MW US repeat order with Duke Energy

The order includes 20 units of S88–2.1 MW turbine. The new supply brings total Suzlon capacity to 130 MW for Duke.

Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation, the North America arm of Suzlon Energy Limited, has signed a repeat order with Duke Energy, of Charlotte, North Carolina, to provide 20 units of the S88-2.1 megawatt wind turbine. With this order, the total supply portfolio to Duke Energy increases to 130MW.

The project located in Cheyenne, Wyoming, is named the Silver Sage Windpower Project, and is adjacent to an existing wind farm owned by Duke Energy – also supplied by the Suzlon S88-2.1 MW turbine.

“Expanding our supply portfolio to Duke demonstrates Suzlon’s ability to provide quality products and services to wind energy developers. We have provided exceptional customer service, which we believe has given us another opportunity to grow our highly-valued partnership with Duke.” said Andris Cukurs, CEO of Suzlon Wind Energy Corporation. “This also shows that Suzlon continues to play an integral role in advancing clean, wind energy in the U.S., with the S88 turbine repeatedly being proven in diverse climates and terrains.”

Duke Energy Generation Services (DEGS) – part of Duke Energy – develops, owns and operates electric generation for large energy consumers, municipalities, utilities and industrial facilities. DEGS specializes in developing environmentally sound generation solutions using a variety of fuels, including wind and other renewable energy sources. The contract will provide turbines for the Silver Sage Windpower Project, located next to the Happy Jack Windpower Project, in Cheyenne. In addition to supply, Suzlon will provide operations and maintenance through a five-year service agreement with Duke Energy. Suzlon already has provided 29 MW of capacity for the nearby site, and a total of 71 MW to all Duke projects.

“Duke Energy is pleased to team with Suzlon again as we continue to build momentum in our wind energy business,” said David Marks, DEGS senior vice president of wind energy. “Suzlon played an important role in the success of the nearby Happy Jack Windpower Project, our first in Wyoming. We look forward to building on this success as we develop the Silver Sage Windpower Project.”

Suzlon, the world’s fifth largest wind turbine manufacturer, will deliver 20 wind turbines in July 2009 with construction due to be completed and turbines online before the end of the year.

Speaking on the order, Mr. Sumant Sinha – COO, Suzlon Energy, said, “We are pleased to continue our relationship with Duke. The order represents an important step forward in the challenging economic environment we are working in.”

Added Mr. Tulsi Tanti, Chairman and Managing Director, Suzlon Energy, “The US is the world’s largest wind energy market, and it’s very encouraging to see the emphasis on renewable energy by the new government. Suzlon is committed to the US, its customers and we will continue to build on our position as the third leading supplier in the market.”