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Regarding the latter, Vestas undoubtedly stole the show this week with its Q1 results for 2012. Since late last year when the company revealed it had failed to bring its Travemunde factory in Germany online (causing late deliveries of Gridstreamer turbines), its financial announcements have served as a platform for bad news.

In this case, Vestas admitted issues with 376 of its V90 3MW gearboxes with €40 million set aside to fix the issue. It affects turbines delivered between 2009 and September last year. As if that was not enough it also revealed it was postponing its V164 offshore schedule by a year. The first prototype won't be out until 2014.

And to top it all, Vestas also announced a net loss of €162 million for the period.

On the good, or simply huge, Enercon is set to begin construction of the biggest concentration to date of its 7.5MW turbine, the E-126. Late this year or early 2013, Enercon will lay the first foundations for 38 E-126 turbines, part of a major Dutch 86-turbine wind farm called Windpark Noordoostpolder. Until now there have only been 30-odd of the turbines installed around the world.

The fact it is one of the world's most interesting turbines was underlined by the fact more people read it than our story about Enercon owner Aloys Wobben passing his shares over to a foundation. The company has said the move would manage any future transition of the company and maintain Enercon's independence. 

Highlighting the delicate issue of licensing deals and IP, Ming Yang admitted its position could be adversely affected if it loses its agreement with Aerodyn, the German designer of its SCD wind turbines. In its 2011 annual report to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, lodged 1 May, Ming Yang revealed potential concerns with its SCD offshore turbines and relationship with designer Aerodyn.

Difficulties with project financing and the credit crunch has led wind turbine manufacturer PowerWind to file for insolvency with local courts in Hamburg, Germany. PowerWind, which specialises in small- to medium-sized community projects in Germany, Italy, the UK and Eastern Europe. Its main product is a 500kW machine. The company said project delays caused by difficulties financing projects, especially in Italy and Eastern Europe, was behind the insolvency decision.

Lastly, “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç has changed the way it allows readers to view content across its website “uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Çmonthly.com. As of today we are changing the way to access online articles. Previously locked content will now be available on a metered basis allowing access to in-depth coverage of essential wind power news.