Developer gets four new wind plant up and running

One of Spain's most promising wind developers, the Corporacion Eolica SA (CESA), expects to have four new wind plant up and running by the end of this month, with a combined capacity of 57 MW. Of this, 37 MW is in three developments in Burgos, Old Castille, part of the region's recently approved strategic plan for wind (Windpower Monthly, October 1999). All three are sited 1200 metres above sea level on parallel ridges in the Las Mazorras mountains, which are swept by winds averaging 7.5 m/s. CESA owns more than 90% of each of the two companies, Gersa and Corporacion Eolica del Manzanedo, which were established to develop and operate the wind farms. Overall investment in the projects is ESP 6.29 billion (EUR 37.8 million). The remaining 19.8 MW is going up at Los Llanos in the Andalusian province of Malaga at a cost of ESP 3.37 billion (EUR 20.23 million). Overlooking Gibraltar, winds blow at 8.5 m/s on average at Los Llanos. CESA owns 25% of the company specifically set up to develop the project, Explotaciones Eolicas Sierra de Utrera. Another 25% is owned by Spanish construction corporation, Dragados, with the remaining 50% going to private investors. CESA has also received final approval to develop six more wind plant. These include single developments in Palencia (19.8 MW), Zaragoza (35 MW) and Tarragona (13 MW) and three wind farms totalling 57 MW in Zamora. Founded in 1996 as part of the GUASCOR Group, CESA has already installed 25 MW in the province of Soria, Old Castille, developed by its affiliated company, Ecowind Energy, and has a 15 MW development waiting for grid connection in the province of Zaragoza in the Aragon region. The company is also awaiting local government approval for numerous other developments nationwide. So far, all CESA developments use 660 kW pitch regulated turbines from Gamesa, the Spanish manufacturer of Vestas technology. The company's Alvaro Maortua expects to be buying 800 kW machines, also from Gamesa, by January 2001.