PTC IMPACT
The hiatus in the United States market caused by the temporary loss of wind's federal production tax credit has been felt by LM, but not to the extent that it has impacted company expectations for the year. LM is still predicting an increase in sales of 23-30% compared with last year, to EUR 270-282 million, and a result for the year between a loss of EUR 6.7 million at most and a zero at best. Last year's loss before tax was EUR 40 million.
The largest hurdle for the company is the payment of interest on its debt, which although reduced from EUR 367 million to EUR 274 million during the past year still cost EUR 13 million to service in the first half year. Interest payments for the whole year are expected to be EUR 25 million.
busy ahead
By the end of June, LM had orders enough to keep it busy for six months and expects "to win substantial market share relative to 2003." Contrary to the expectations of Vestas, LM predicts that its market in Germany will continue to decline along with the Scandinavian market. On the other hand, LM expects to see substantial growth in sales to customers in southern Europe, India, China and Japan.
demand
During the first half of 2004, LM supplied 3246 blades for 1060 MW of wind power capacity -- an increase of 86% compared with the same period in 2003. Of these, 59% of blades were for turbines with a rated capacity of 1.5 MW or more. The smallest blades supplied were for 750 kW turbines, which made up 21% of sales compared with 14% in the first six months of last year. Demand for blades for smaller turbines on the Indian market lies behind the increase.
In the autumn, LM will install its first 61.5 metre blades on German Repower's 5 MW turbine, opening up the potential for rotors of 126 metres in diameter. Static tests on the blade are complete, says LM, with dynamic testing still taking place.
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