Goldwind claims 1.5MW milestone

UNITED STATES: Goldwind's 1.5MW direct-drive turbine has achieved GL Garrad Hassan's "commercially proven" criteria for the North American market.

by James Quilter 11 September 2013

Goldwind's first US project, the Shady Oaks wind farm in Illinois

Goldwind USA described the criteria as a crucial milestone that will make the turbines more attractive to developers and investors.

The Goldwind 1.5MW turbine has an 87-metre rotor and is designed for low wind conditions. It was designed by Vensys.

Goldwind is arguably the only Chinese turbine manufacturer to make a serious attempt to break into the US market.

The company established a US division and built the 109MW Shady Oaks project in Illinois, so far the only utility-sized project to use Chinese turbines.

Shady Oaks was sold to Algonquin Power last year. Since then, Goldwind's only other US projects have been the 10MW Georgia Mountain community wind farm in Vermont and the 20MW Musselshell project in Montana.

Georgia Mountain uses Goldwind's later 2.5MW turbine, which was not part of the 1.5MW certification.

Goldwind USA CEO Tim Rosenzweig said: "Having recently sold our 109.5MW Illinois wind farm to a western buyer, and having closed a $71 million project financing with western lenders in Panama, we are excited that this performance milestone further advances our calculated and measured market entry plan and unlocks vast new pools of capital for our customers."