LM Wind Power Blades will deliver its 61.5 meter blades for the 48 REpower 6M type wind turbines which will be installed as part of phase II and III of the Thornton Bank Offshore Wind Farm. The 144 LM 61.5P2 blades will be supplied from LM Wind Power’s facility in Lunderskov, Denmark.
LM Wind Power’s VP Sales & Marketing, Ian Telford commented: “We are happy to expand our collaboration with REpower Systems within the offshore wind market and support REpower’s strong focus on innovative wind solutions. The LM 61.5P2 currently is the world’s longest blade in serial production and with this agreement we cement our leading position within the large blade types. Furthermore, this contract increases our long-term visibility in North Europe and secures our commitment to the local area.”
Thornton Bank is located around 28 kilometers off the Belgian coast in waters between twelve and 27 meters deep and currently comprises six REpower 5M type wind turbines with a rated power of five megawatts (MW) each, carrying 61.5 meter blades from LM Wind Power. It was officially put into operation at the end of June 2009. In the first half-year of operation, it achieved a technical availability rate of 94%; in the second, this increased to 97%.
With phases II and III the Thornton Bank project represents the biggest ever project financing in the offshore wind industry as measured by the total investment volume of 1.3 billion Euro.
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Source: lmwindpower, November 29, 2010;