Chinese Wind Power Developer Opens First Project in North America
The Dufferin Wind Farm, located in Ontario, Canada, is being developed by Longyuan Canada Renewables Ltd., a subsidiary of China Long Yuan Power Generation (CLYPG), Chinas largest wind power developer. The wind project will add 100 megawatts of clean energy to the region's electricity grid.
GE will supply 31 of its 1.6-100 wind turbines and 18 of its 2.75-103 wind turbines for the project, which supports Ontario's Green Energy Act. Created by the Ontario government, the act is designed to expand renewable energy production, encourage energy conservation and create green jobs.
Under the Green Energy Act, renewable energy developers are required to demonstrate 50% local content for their projects. The Act also includes a feed-in tariff to ensure that renewable energy developers are able to achieve a reasonable return on their investments.
"The Dufferin Wind Farm marks our first global wind project outside of China," said Wu Hao, president of Long Yuan Canada. "With rich wind power resources and strong supporting policies for its wind industry, Canada has created an excellent investment and operational environment for wind farms."
CLYPG will be the first customer in Ontario to receive GE's 1.6-100 wind turbine, which features a 100-meter rotor diameter. The 1.6-100 wind turbine offers a 47% increase in swept area, which results in a 19% increase in annual energy production (AEP) at 7.5 m/s, compared to the previous 1.6-82.5 model, according to GE.
The newest member of GE's 2.5-megawatt class of wind turbines, the 2.75-103 wind turbine offers high efficiency, even at low wind speeds, according to the company. This new turbine features electrical system uprates and GE's 50.2 proprietary blade design that offers a 9% AEP increase over the 2.5-100.
The GE wind turbines will be shipped to the project site in 2013, with commercial operation expected in 2014.
The province of Ontario accounts for about one-third of the nation's wind energy development, according to the Canadian Wind Energy Association (CanWEA). Overall, Canada has increased its wind power capacity nearly tenfold in the last six years. The CanWEA expects that wind energy's rapid growth in Canada will continue, with production tripling over the next five years.
