Senvion inaugurates the serial production of the longest blade with anti-icing system in Canada for its 3.2M114 CCV turbines with LM Wind Power

GASPÉ, QC, Sept. 28, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Senvion Canada Inc., a fully owned subsidiary of Senvion GmbH, and LM Wind Power in Gaspé, a fully owned subsidiary of LM Wind Power in Denmark, are inaugurating the start of the serial production of the longest blade in Canada: the 55.8 metre blade that is destined for the Senvion 3.2M114 Cold Climate Version (CCV) 3 MW turbine. LM Wind Power will produce 46 sets of blades all equipped with Senvion's anti-icing system, adapted for Quebec's harsh winter climate.

All blades will be delivered to the the Mesgi'g Ugju's'n (MU) wind farm, a project that involves a 50-50 partnership of the three Mi'gmaq Nations of Quebec (Gesgapegiag, Gespeg et Listuguj)  and developer Innergex. The project will see an installation of 150 MW of the 3.2M114 type turbine with 100 metre towers. The MU wind project will supply clean renewable energy for almost 30,000 households in the Gaspésie region of Québec. Official construction of the project has begun, and the wind farm will be operational by December 2016.

At the occasion of the inaugural ceremony, Helmut Herold, Chief Executive Officer of Senvion in North America said: "For me, it is always impressive to see this technology up close. The serial production of the 55.8 metre blade with the anti-icing hot air system, is of tremendous significance for the advancement of turbine technology in Quebec's wind industry. Not only are we seeing shifts in the cost competitiveness of wind, in comparison to any new hydro installation in the province, but with such a shift comes the ability to technologically innovate. Furthermore, blades with the anti-icing system are perfect for communities, such as the three Mi'gmaq Nations, who want to benefit from wind energy but have to work through Quebec's cold climate. In short, what we are producing here is community friendly technology. "

Alexandre Boulay, Plant Manager of the LM Wind Power plant in Gaspé adds: "This production of the longest blade in Canada, the 55.8 metre blade, is a milestone for LM Wind Power in Gaspé, showing the capabilities we have in producing high quality technologies for wind. Even more so, LM Wind Power is an integral part of Gaspésie's manufacturing supply chain, ensuring that we produce these technologies locally, and in doing so creating and maintaining our local jobs. We are proud to be pillars of the community, and happy to be collaborating with such partners as Senvion, Innergex, and the three Mi'gmaq Nations of Quebec.

Troy Jerome, the Executive Director of the Mi'gmawei Maiwomi Business Corporation said: The Mesgi'g Ugju's'n (MU) Wind Farm project is a testament of how the Mi'gmaq people and our Mi'gmaq government can contribute to the greater Quebec economy and more specifically to the economy of the Gaspésie region. Through our partnership with Innergex and Senvion, we are pleased that LM Wind Power can deliver on the latest technology required to meet the extreme weather conditions of the Gaspésie region. This project is one great historic achievement, both for being able to achieve an agreement with the Quebec government on a large energy project and also for bringing together our Nation, the people of Gaspésie, German technology and of course LM Wind Power with this huge sweeping blade which will help us create beautiful clean green energy.

With the serial production of the 55.8 metre blade with anti-icing, LM Wind Power and Senvion are contributing to Quebec's growing expertise in cold and complex terrain wind technology and in turn positioning Quebec as a leader in wind energy across Canada and internationally.

About Senvion:
Senvion GmbH is one of the world's leading manufacturers of onshore and offshore wind turbines. The international mechanical engineering company develops, produces and markets wind turbines for almost any location – with rated outputs of 2 MW to 6.15 MW and rotor diameters of 82 metres to 152 metres. Furthermore, the company offers its customers project specific solutions in the areas of turnkey, service and maintenance, transport and installation, as well as foundation planning and construction. The profitable and reliable systems are designed at the Senvion TechCenter in Osterrönfeld and manufactured at its German plants in Husum (North Friesland), Trampe (Brandenburg) and Bremerhaven, as well as Portugal and Canada. With approximately 3,700 employees worldwide, the company - headquartered in Hamburg - makes use of the experience gained from the manufacture and installation of more than 6,900 wind turbines around the world. Senvion is represented by distribution partners, subsidiaries and participations in European markets such as France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UK, Italy, Romania, Portugal, Sweden, and Poland as well as on a global level in the USA, China, Australia and Canada.

About Centerbridge
Centerbridge Partners, L.P. is an investment management firm focused on private equity and credit investment opportunities. As of April 2015, the Firm has approximately $25 billion in capital under management with offices in New York and London. The firm is dedicated to partnering with world-class management teams across targeted industry sectors to help companies achieve their operating and financial objectives.

About LM Wind Power Canada
LM Wind Power employs approximately 200 people in its Gaspé blade plant which is one of three in LM Wind Power's Americas business region. LM Wind Power has produced blades corresponding to more than 2000 MW in Québec. LM Wind Power is the world's largest supplier of rotor blades for wind turbines, with a global manufacturing footprint which includes 13 factories in Canada, the US, Brazil, Denmark, Poland, Spain, China and India. The company has produced more than 175,000 blades since 1978, corresponding to more than 70GW installed capacity and every year saving the world more than 120 million tons of CO₂.

 

SOURCE Senvion Canada Inc.

Press contact SenvionGmbH: Verena Puth, Head of Corporate Communications, phone: [phone], mobile: [phone], email: [email protected]; Press contact Senvion Canada: Ilana Kelemen, Director of Communications, phone: [phone] ext.223, mobile: [phone], email : [email protected]