“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç

Continuing its recent success in Spain, Vestas of Denmark has secured an order to supply turbines for a 49 MW wind farm in the southern region of Andalucia. The deal marks Vestas' eighth order since October 2004, which includes a recent contract to supply 20, 1.5 MW machines for the 30 MW Sierra Oliva project in Castile-La Mancha region being developed by Enel-Unión Fenosa Renovables (EUFR). In total, the eight orders are for nearly 300 MW in capacity, equivalent to 18% of turbine sales in Spain in 2004. Just over half of this is to be supplied under a 30 month, 152 MW framework agreement clinched with Spanish developer Genesa. The recent flurry also marks Vestas' first deals in Spain since December 2003, when the company merged with fellow Danish manufacturer NEG Micon, which already had a strong grip on the Spanish market. The Andalucía order is for 27, 1.8 MW machines to be installed at the El Pedregoso-Eólica del Pino wind development in the coastal district of Barbate, near Tarifa. The developer is a joint venture between Fersa Energías, a renewables investment group, and Wigep, a regional wind developer. The deal strengthens Vestas' foothold in Andalucia, where the regional government has just conceded grid connection rights for 2482 MW (“uåX˜äŠÊ˜·³Ç, January 2005). Rumours abound that Vestas is considering building a new facility in the region, but the company declines to comment.