Energia Verde Ventuno to build 17.5 MW wind farm in Romania

Newsroom 07/02/2013 | 17:37

Italian-based Energia Verde Ventuno will build the 17.5MW Cerna wind park in Southeastern Romania, Tulcea region, using seven GE turbines, in a deal worth close to USD 30 million.

The investment is co-financed by the EU through the Sectoral Operational Program for the Increase of Economic Competitiveness. The project financing is ensured by a large European bank and Quercus Assets Selection, an investment fund focused in renewable energy.

GE, the US-based industrial group, will handle the commissioning of the wind turbines, signing a 10-year full service agreement to support the operation of the Cerna wind farm. The turbines will have 103-meter rotors to increase output.

Once fully operational, the Cerna farm will supply clean energy to 7,000 households.

“Romania has huge potential for wind energy development,” said Mario Costariol, director of Energia Verde Ventuno, a Romanian special purpose company. “The wind energy sector will be able to develop jobs and help boost the economy, especially in the poorer rural areas of the country.”

GE has supplied 240 wind turbines for the 600MW Fantanele Cogeleac wind park, the largest onshore wind farm in Romania, operated by Czech utility CEZ. GE said its technology is also used in other wind farms including Mireasa 2, Silistea 2 and Galbiori.

Romania reached 1822MW of inventivized wind capacities at the end of 2012, according to grid operator Transelectrica.