Vestas Receives 59 MW Order for Michigan Wind Farm

Vestas Wind Systems A/S (Nasdaq: VWS), the world's largest maker of wind turbines, has announced that it has received a 59-megawatt order from Exelon Wind, a division of Exelon Power with operations in eight states, for a project in eastern Michigan.

The Harvest II Wind Project, in Huron County on the tip of the Wolverine State's thumb, plans to deploy 33 of Vestas' V100 1.8MW low wind-speed turbines.

The contract for an undisclosed sum includes delivery, commissioning and a 10-year service and maintenance agreement. Delivery is expected in mid-2012, with commissioning following later in the year. Exelon already has a power purchase agreement in place with electricity and natural gas utility Consumers Energy.

According to the American Wind Energy Association, more than 100 wind turbines now operate across Michigan, and a number of related power facilities are taking shape. The most promising is the Gratiot County Wind Project, a 212.8-megawatt effort project half-owned by Michigan's increasingly wind-focused utility DTE Energy that will generate enough clean, renewable energy to power over 50,000 homes. Upon completion, it will be the largest wind farm in the state.

Vestas last month reported a third-quarter loss and cut its full-year 2011 profit and revenue oulook after delays in expanding production at its new turbine plant in Germany caused projects to be postponed until next year.

Earlier this month, the Danish turbine manufacturer warned that U.S. wind turbine sales could dry up in 2013 unless Congress acts to extend tax credits to support the industry's market beyond the end of 2012.

Image credit: geograph via creative commons license