Winkra Energie, like all other offshore developers, has yet to be granted a licence for its project. But, says Nordex's Ralf Peters, "There are no penalties if the machine isn't ready on time or if Winkra Energie fails to get the construction licence or if it is late starting the project." The deal with Repower Systems covers the first phase of the planned Nordsee-Ost offshore station.
"Repower Systems will supply about half of the 96 wind turbines," says Winkra's Uwe Carstensen. "The aim is to deliver them by winter 2006 for the first construction phase." The project budget is DEM 1.5-2 billion, he says. A second phase with another 140 turbines is planned.
The outline agreement with Nordex covers the delivery of up to 70 turbines for the Nördliche Pommersche Bucht offshore station, 42 kilometres east of the island of Rügen in the Baltic Sea. The station is planned to have two more construction phases with 70 turbines each, raising its total capacity to 1000 MW. Meantime, Nordex and Repower Systems are negotiating the legal framework for their co-operation on the 5 MW turbine, reportedly to cost about DEM 30 million.
First prototype
Repower says its will install the first prototype onshore near Husum in 2003 for testing. Nordex will also install its prototype in 2003 and anticipates that after a 30-month intensive test phase it should be possible to supply the wind turbines from October 2005. "Certainly it makes sense for our two companies to build and operate the prototype together. This reduces the cost and doesn't bind as much capital," adds Peters.
Schleswig-Holstein energy minister Claus Möller, attending the signing ceremony for the deal at the Windtech Husum trade fair in September, said he was delighted that Repower Systems, which has production facilities in Schleswig-Holstein, is working with Winkra Energie. He anticipates that the state's target to supply 25% of electricity consumption from wind by 2010 will be achieved next year and is advocating a new target for that year of 50% wind power supply. Offshore development will be crucial to meeting the target.
