Siemens Gamesa will debut a giant 6.6MW version of its recently launched 5.X onshore wind turbine platform in Sweden, following the signing of a deal by developer Arise to buy the in-construction 231MW Skaftåsen project from infrastructure fund manager Foresight.

The German-Spanish OEM will supply 35 of its SG5.8-155 machines for the development in Fågelsjö, with delivery of the units, which will be tailored for operation in ultra-harsh northern climates and temperatures as low as -30°C, set for the second quarter of 2021 and commissioning to follow in “late-2021”.

“We are pushing the boundaries of onshore wind power with this platform, which offers the largest AEP [annual energy production] in the onshore segment,” says Siemens Gamesa onshore business CEO Alfonso Faubel.

“Our vision has been to create the most competitive onshore product for any site condition and requirements. We can increase the operating rating power or adapt the 5.X to low temperature conditions - and we have designed it with two rotor variants and carbon caps on blades.”

Upon completion of the transaction between Arise and FW Skaftåsen BidCo, a company controlled by Foresight, for the project, the developer will take over construction and later operation of the wind farm, located in western Sweden near the border with Norway.

Arise CEO Daniel Johansson said the deal brought “not only a significant new investor in the shape of Foresight to the Swedish wind market, but also cutting-edge new technology”, adding: “To launch this new technology on the Nordic market together with Siemens Gamesa and Foresight represents a landmark event for us.”

Foresight senior investment manager Daniel Cambridge stated: “The Skaftåsen project will make a valuable contribution to renewable energy production and carbon reduction targets in Sweden, and also make a material contribution to the local community via the annual community contribution payment which is aligned to our ESG [environmental, social and governance] focused investment criteria.”

Sweden continues to be one of Europe’s hottest wind markets, with onshore wind projects last year attracting €3.7bn ($4.2bn) of final investment decisions — more than France, Spain and Denmark combined, according to WindEurope’s latest annual statistics .

Wind

Biggest-ever Siemens Gamesa onshore turbine to debut in Sweden