Wind art installation negotiations

Four wind turbine manufacturers are negotiating with planning company Windwärts Energie of Hannover to supply machines for five "wind art" installations at the Expo 2000 world trade exhibition next year. In 1998, the art projects were chosen by a jury, and the sites-within a radius of about 20 kilometres of Hannover-have all been acquired (Windpower Monthly, September 1998). Windwärts is reportedly looking for turbines in the 1 MW to 1.65 MW range. The cost of the art projects, estimated at a total DEM 5.5 million, will be shouldered by the turbine manufacturers. Windwärts is now inviting investors to put their money into the projects, says Lothar Schulze-Danitz of the company. The minimum stake is DEM 3000 and the total investment sum will be about DEM 27 million. The turbines will be operated by Windwärts Kunst und Windenergie.