Wind: AREVA commissions first offshore project in Germany

Press release

ACTIVITIES / RENEWABLE ENERGY

December 16, 2009

AREVA, via its German subsidiary Multibrid, has successfully installed and commissioned the first six M5000 turbines for the Alpha Ventus project, the first German offshore wind park located in the North Sea, 45 kilometers off the island of Borkum. The group is creating a reference in the offshore wind industry with its 5 MW turbines specially designed for offshore conditions. This major achievement demonstrates the technical feasibility of AREVA’s M5000 turbine design and confirms the relevance of the associated installation and servicing activities carried out by the group.

Under the terms of the contract signed with DOTI*, the six turbines have now entered the test phase scheduled to end this winter. The turbines have already generated around 30 million KWh since commissioning. During the second half of November, they ran at full load i.e. 30 MW thanks to the excellent wind conditions and generated nearly 10 million kWh with an availability of more than 99%.

"This pioneering project will have a dynamic impact on the European offshore wind power market and position AREVA to become a major supplier of state-of-the-art offshore wind turbines. Our operating experience will help set the standards for the offshore wind industry, thereby facilitating project bankability for our customers", emphasized Anil Srivastava, CEO of AREVA Renewables.

* Deutsche Offshore Testfeld und Infrastrukturgesellschaft, comprising E.ON, Vattenfall and EWE as shareholders