Big Sky wind project gets life extension

Vestas has struck a deal with Vitol Wind to repower the Big Sky Wind project in Illinois in the United States, marking the first cooperation between the two companies. Under the 240 MW order, Vestas will deliver a total of 109 turbines to replace the project’s current technology of 109 Suzlon S88-2.1 MW turbines. 

Under the order, Vestas is set to deliver 104 V120-2.2 MW turbines and five V110-2.2 MW turbines in 2.2 MW operating mode. The order includes supply and commissioning of the turbines, as well as a 20-year Active Output Management 5000 (AOM 5000) service agreement, designed to ensure optimised performance of the asset.

Commenting on the agreement, Laura Beane, president of Vestas North America, said that repowering wind projects is an optimal solution for asset owners of aging fleets by extending the production lifespan of the project while decreasing costs.

Andrew de Pass, head of renewables at Vitol added that repowering Big Sky Wind is part of the company’s strategy to invest in, build and optimise the performance of renewable assets across its portfolio.

The delivery for the orders begin in the fourth quarter of 2021 with commissioning scheduled for the second quarter of 2022.