Wind Wire: Portfolio boost

A 6 MW installation near Heraklion, powered by seven Vestas 850 kW turbines, is already up and running. Enel bought it from Domiki Crete, along with an option on the Greek firm's project development pipeline of around 280 MW. The second acquisition is a 5 MW project near Rethymnon, previously owned by the Atese Group, which is slated for commissioning in 2011. The turbine supplier has not yet been decided. The acquisitions form part of Enel's strategy to increase its foothold in Greece. "With its huge growth potential in the (renewables) sector, Greece represents a key market to us," says Francesco Starace, president of Enel Green Power. The company now owns 123 MW of operating wind capacity in Greece and boasts a development pipeline of 1.65 GW, of which 1.4 GW is co-owned by the Greek industrial giant and wind power developer Copelouzos following an agreement last year (Windpower Monthly, September 2008).