Wind energy in Uruguay: Vestas receives 53 MW order

Vestas has received a firm and unconditional order for a 53 MW wind power project to be located in Villa Pastora, in the southwestern province of Flores, Uruguay. The order for 16 V126-3.3 MW wind turbines was placed by TaxWay S.A., the Uruguayan subsidiary of the Spain-based Cobra group, a leading company specialising in developing industrial infrastructure worldwide.

The order comprises supply, installation and commissioning of the wind turbines as well as a 10-year Active Output Management (AOM) 4000 service agreement, a full-scope service package to maximise uptime and performance. Turbine delivery is scheduled for the third quarter of 2016, whilst commissioning is expected for the first quarter of 2017.

The Vientos de Pastorale wind power plant will have an estimated annual production of 223 GWh, enough to cover the electricity consumption of approximately 50,000 Uruguayan households with clean energy annually. The V126-3.3 MW wind turbine allows for higher energy capture in areas with low-to-medium wind, producing more energy at a reduced cost.

“With 344 MW already installed and around 170 MW under construction, Vestas leads Uruguay’s wind energy industry with approximately 35 percent market share.  Vientos de Pastorale will be the second project that Vestas signs with Cobra and we look forward to putting our expertise and cutting-edge technologies at the disposal of such a valued partner”, says Marco Graziano, President of Vestas Mediterranean.

In 2015, Vestas announced 120 MW of new orders in Uruguay. With the 53 MW project announced today, Vestas takes a step further in consolidating its market leading position in the country, which aims to produce 38 percent of its electricity needs from wind power by 2017.