Siemens secures its single largest onshore wind energy project in the United States

Siemens Energy recently secured an order for its single largest U.S. wind farm project. Puget Sound Energy, Washington state’s oldest, local energy utility, has ordered about 150 wind turbines for the Lower Snake River Wind Power Project in Washington State.

With an installed capacity of about 350 megawatts, the wind power farm is expected to provide clean power for more than 100,000 homes in the state of Washington. PSE has an option to purchase an additional 110 units for later phases of the project.

“This order is an important stepping stone towards becoming one of the top two wind turbine supplier in the U.S.,” said René Umlauft, CEO of the Renewable Energy Division of Siemens Energy. “We look forward to working with PSE to further advance its renewable energy initiative in the United States.”

The scope of Siemens’ contract includes the supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines, as well as a five-year service agreement. Since its introduction in April 2009, the wind turbine with an output of 2.3 MW has quickly become the best-selling wind turbine in the U.S. The 101-meter rotor is specifically designed to optimize the energy returns in areas with moderate wind conditions.

To better meet the increasing demand for clean energy in the Americas, Siemens is currently constructing its wind turbine nacelle assembly facility in Hutchinson, Kansas, which is scheduled to become operational in December 2010. The wind turbine nacelle facility is expected to employ approximately 400 “green-collar” employees. Siemens also recently expanded its blade manufacturing facilities in Fort Madison, Iowa, which currently employs more than 600 people.

Wind power is part of Siemens’ Environmental Portfolio. In fiscal 2009, revenue from the Portfolio totaled approximately EUR23 billion, making Siemens the world’s largest supplier of environmentally friendly technologies. In the same period, the company’s products and solutions enabled customers to reduce their CO2 emissions by 210 million tons. This amount equals the combined annual CO2 emissions of New York, Tokyo, London and Berlin.

The Siemens Energy Sector is the world’s leading supplier of a complete spectrum of products, services and solutions for the generation, transmission and distribution of power and for the extraction, conversion and transport of oil and gas. In fiscal 2009 (ended September 30), the Energy Sector had revenues of approximately EUR25.8 billion and received new orders totaling approximately EUR30 billion and posted a profit of EUR3.3 billion. On September 30, 2009, the Energy Sector had a work force of approximately 85,100.

www.siemens.com/energy