GE's 2.5-Megawatt Wind Turbine Technology Selected For New Projects In Japan
ATLANTA, GA. November 2, 2005: -- GE Energy?s 2.5-megawatt wind turbine technology is being introduced into Japan through an agreement that will add 85 megawatts of wind energy capacity to the country?s electricity grid.
Currently being developed by Clean Energy Factory, Inc., a wind energy producer based in Nemuro, Hokkaido, the three projects covered by the agreement will be located on Awaji Island, Hyogo; in Dangamine, near the border between Asago and Shiso, Hyogo; and in Hohoku, Yamaguchi. The projects are expected to enter commercial operation during 2006 and 2007.
GE's 2.5-megawatt wind turbine design, first introduced in 2003, is based on experience and lessons learned from the manufacture and operation of more than 3,300 of the company's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines, which are installed worldwide. Thirty-eight of GE's 1.5-megawatt units have previously been installed in Japan: 22 for the Rokkasho Wind Project, six for Hokkaido, and 10 for the Hibikinada Wind Project.
"The 2.5-megawatt wind turbine addresses a global trend toward wind turbines with greater power capacities," said Mr. Tamio Kani, general manager of GE Energy's Japan-based wind unit. "This machine, with its larger, 88-meter rotor diameter and flexible modular structure, will be a good match for the project sites. We are pleased to have the opportunity to bring this new technology to Japan, as part of the country's aggressive efforts to produce three gigawatts of new, renewable energy by the year 2010."
The continuing advancement of wind power technology is a key element of GE ecomagination, a commitment to cleaner energy options that is at the forefront of the company's business initiatives. Launched in May, ecomagination is a GE initiative to aggressively bring to market new technologies that will help customers meet pressing environmental challenges.
About GE Energy
GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2004 revenues of $17.3 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries.
With wind turbine design, manufacturing and assembly facilities in Germany, Spain and the United States, GE Energy is among the leading providers of wind energy products and support services ranging from commercial wind turbines and grid integration products to project development assistance and operation and maintenance. The company?s knowledge base includes the development and/or installation of more than 7,500 wind turbines with a total rated output of 6,200 megawatts.
For more information, contact:
Dennis Murphy
GE Energy
+1 678 844 6948
dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com
Ken Darling or Howard Masto
Masto Public Relations
+1 518 786 6488
kenneth.darling@ps.ge.com
howard.masto@ps.ge.com
