Vestas secures first multi-brand repowering wind turbines order from PacifiCorp

Vestas has received an order from PacifiCorp, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway Energy, for 47 V110-2.0 MW wind turbines, delivered in 2.2 MW Power Optimised Mode, to repower the Goodnoe Hills wind energy project in Washington, U.S.  With the order, PacifiCorp repowers the wind energy projects’ existing 47 Senvion MM92 2MW wind turbines, increasing the project’s nameplate capacity from its original 94 MW to 103 MW. The wind power project was originally commissioned in 2008.

Repowering existing and aging wind energy projects with new wind turbine technology offers substantial returns from increased annual energy production and reduced operating costs. Through repowering, owners and operators benefit by replacing old equipment with advanced technology, while significantly lowering operating costs.

With the largest global installed capacity and service base, Vestas is uniquely positioned to harness operational and technical insights gained from the largest wind data repository in the world, to develop repowering solutions for Vestas and non-Vestas wind turbines alike. With the Goodnoe Hills order, Vestas showcases its ability to apply technical insights and capabilities to develop and certify multi-brand repowering solutions.

Today’s order follows PacifiCorp’s 234 MW order with Vestas to repower the Marengo I and II projects, also located in Washington.

“These repowering upgrades will cost-effectively boost the output of existing turbines and extend the life of our wind projects, while expanding the amount of renewable energy serving our customers” said Stefan Bird, president and CEO of Pacific Power, the division of PacifiCorp that serves customers in Oregon, Washington and California. “We appreciate our continued partnership with Vestas as we remain focused on meeting our customers’ sustainable energy goals”.

With an average fleet age projected to rise to seven years in 2020, and 14 years in 2030, the aging North American wind fleet creates a large market for repowering. Repowering offers solutions for asset owners facing higher operation and maintenance costs of an aging fleet and mitigates the complexities of sourcing spare parts for obsolete technology.

“As wind technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, Vestas is able to use our technology expertise, operational insights, and unparalleled global supply chain to deliver repowering benefits for customers across a variety of turbine types”, said Chris Brown, President of Vestas’ sales and service and division in the United States and Canada. “Updating existing projects with Vestas technology unlocks even more value and performance for our customers from their existing assets and extends the lifetime benefits of these projects”.

PacifiCorp is a leading utility in the renewable energy space, with a portfolio of over 1,000 MW of wind projects across Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming.

The order includes supply and commissioning of the turbines as well as a long-term service agreement, designed to ensure optimised performance of the project. Turbine delivery will begin in the first quarter of 2019.