LM Wind Power announced today the signing of an agreement to develop a 71.8 meter blade for Chinese offshore leader Envision. The deal is followed by a supply agreement from LM Wind Power’s Jiangyin factory in Jiangsu, China that will require the company to expand the manufacturing facility by 50%.
The new 71.8 meter blade will equip Envision’s new 4.5 MW platform and is expected to be installed in H1 2018. The new large-rotor turbine is designed to effectively serve the Wind Class II and III areas in north China offshore.
Dick Xie, Envision Offshore Business Head, said: “Envision has a strong ambition to continue to lead the development of the Chinese offshore wind market and we are pleased to engage in this strategic partnership with LM Wind Power. Our collaboration will ensure high-performing, reliable blades on this new and powerful platform that will contribute to reducing the Levelized Cost of Energy offshore.”
LM Wind Power Vice President Offshore, Alexis Crama, added: “The Chinese offshore wind market is expected to grow on average by 40% annually for the next five years. LM Wind Power has been part of this journey since the very beginning and we are investing significantly in new product development and technologies for the Chinese market, including manufacturing capacity and people. Together with industry leaders like Envision, we look forward to further accelerating the development of a domestic offshore industry, helping China meet its growing demands for clean, renewable and affordable energy.”
The partnership between LM Wind Power and Envision in China goes all the way back to the inception of the Jiangyin plant in 2009. Since then LM Wind Power has delivered both onshore and offshore blades for Envision turbines, and is currently on track to meet a milestone of 100 sets of 66.5 meter offshore blades produced.
LM Wind Power has been present in China since 2001 and currently employs around 2,500 people in the country. The company operates four blade manufacturing facilities in Tianjin, Qinhuangdao, Jiangyin and is ramping up production in Baodi.
About LM Wind Power
LM Wind Power is a world leading designer and manufacturer of rotor blades for wind turbines, with a global manufacturing footprint that includes blade factories in Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, India, Poland, Spain, Turkey and the United States. The company has produced more than 195,000 blades since 1978, corresponding to more than 84 GW installed capacity and global savings of more than 166 million tons of CO2 annually. LM Wind Power is a GE Renewable Energy Business.
About Envision Energy
Envision Energy stands by its mission of “solving the challenges for a sustainable future”. The company is committed to creating a sustainable future by revolutionizing the energy industry through advanced technologies. Since its foundation in 2007, Envision Energy has maintained rapid growth in its business operations, becoming a top tier global provider for smart energy technologies and services, including sales of smart turbines, smart energy management software and technological services. Both its R&D and technological level hold leading positions in the world. Envision has always embraced challenge as an opportunity for innovative solutions.
