Big deal marks consolidation of multi-megawatt market

Gamesa Eólica has clinched a EUR 430 million supply agreement with Urbaenergía, the renewables wing of construction giant Dragados. Under the agreement, Urbaenergía is to buy at least 600 MW of turbines during 2003-2007. The deal kicks off with the immediate purchase of machines totalling 25 MW for an Urbaenergía project in Galicia. Urbaenergía is free to choose Gamesa Eólica turbine ratings of either 850 kW or 2 MW, each covering a range of different rotor spans. "This agreement marks the consolidation of the multimegawatt market in Spain," says Gamesa. Urbaenergía claims a project portfolio of 1100 MW across Spain, though only a small part of this has got off the ground. Urbaenergía maintains a low profile, though made news with its purchase of a 9% stake in developer Renomar's 760 MW development concession in Valencia (Windpower Monthly, January 2003). The company had previously made a separate, failed bid in the region in conjunction with Gamesa. Urbaenergía has shares of numerous projects throughout Andalucia and is behind a joint venture in Castile-La Mancha to develop 470 MW with developer Elecdey.