AREVA, through its subsidiary Multibrid, has executed a binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the company Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy GmbH, to supply eighty M5000 turbines for the offshore Global Tech 1 wind farm (400 MW). Under the terms of the agreements, AREVA will also provide commissioning, testing and maintenance services. Foundations, transport and erection offshore are excluded from the scope.
After coming into force of the definitive agreements, the order will be worth more than 700 million euros. In addition, an option for the delivery of further wind turbines was mentioned in the MoU.
Global Tech 1 is located 90 km from the coast in the German North Sea. Delivery is scheduled for 2011-2012. The wind farm will generate 1.4 billion kWh per year, and provide one million users.
Willi Balz, CEO of Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy, comprising among others the municipal utilities HEAG Südhessische Energie AG ("HSE") and Stadtwerke München GmbH ("SWM") said: "Our clear target is the efficient and solid realization of the wind farm "Global Tech 1" in the North Sea."
"Only a few manufacturers worldwide are able to deliver reliable 5 MW wind turbines. In AREVA we found the ideal partner to build Global Tech 1 and further projects in the pipeline. Furthermore, the company culture and the exceptional customer focus of Multibrid are a good match with the values of Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy" emphasized Willi Balz and the chairmen of the two municipal utilities, Albert Filbert (HSE) and Dr. Kurt Mühlhäuser (SWM).
Anil Srivastava, CEO of the Renewables business unit, said "We are very proud to have been selected by Wetfeet Offshore Windenergy, one of the most efficient and competitive project developers. The decision illustrates the trust being placed in Multibrid’s state-of-the art offshore technology and gives AREVA a strong foothold on the burgeoning European offshore market."