GE Energy received largest wind turbine order in CEE for Romanian projects

GE Energy yesterday announced it would implement two large projects in Romania, aimed to boost modernization of the country’s energy infrastructure. For the first project, the group is to deliver 139 wind turbines for a 347.5 MW wind park located in the village of Fantanele in Tulcea County. This is one of the highest areas with the highest potential for wind energy.

The turbines are to be installed and become operational between April and December 2009.

For the second project, GE Energy is to deliver four of its most powerful gas Jenbacher engines to the Vest Energo producer for a 14 MW Bucharest-based energy station.

“These two projects are part of Romania’s broader attempt to modernize its energy infrastructure. Projects in Romania denote a regional trend,” according to GE Energy’s General Manager for Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and CIS, Rod Christie. “Most of these countries are taking advantage of progress in the energy technology field, of the energy sector liberalization, and access to financing for energy infrastructure modernization,” Christie added.

According to the European Wind Energy Association (EWEA), Romania had only eight MW in installed wind energy capacities. The government plans to add a further 200 MW by the end of 2010. If the Fantanele project is completed by the end of 2009, this goal will be exceeded.