Energy firm Electrabel invites tenders for five projects

Belgian energy firm Electrabel is to invite tenders for five fully commissioned wind projects for a total of up to 25 turbines. Tractebel Engineering is handling the tendering process and pre-qualification procedures are taking place, with the company expecting to issue an invitation for bids early next month. The pre-qualification notice was posted on November 29. Rob Versteirt of Tractebel Engineering says different suppliers may be chosen for each site or the five projects could be considered under a package deal. The company is looking for turbines in the 1.5-3 MW size range. The first project of six turbines is to be built in Antwerp in the Flanders region. Electrabel is stipulating a maximum hub height of 105 metres and maximum rotor diameter of 90 metres. The remaining projects will be in the Wallonia region. Six turbines, with a maximum capacity of 2 MW and limits on hub height of 100 metres and on rotor diameter of 80 metres, are sought for a site in Büllingen. In Strepy, two turbines are required with a maximum hub height of 100 metres, but they can be up to 3 MW in size with a 94 metre rotor diameter. Still in Wallonia, between four and seven turbines of up to 3 MW are being requested for a facility in Dour/Quiévrain, also with a maximum hub height of 100 metres. For the fifth project in La Roche, Electrabel wants four turbines up to 2 MW in size, with hub height limited to 100 metres and maximum rotor diameter of 80 metres. Tender winners will have nine months after contracts are issued to complete projects over the next two or three years.