Gamesa secures 10-year O&M agreement for 264 MW wind farm in Virginia, USA

O&M to be provided under the Gamesa Premium Availability (GPA) Program, a continuous improvement program

20-2-2013 — /europawire.eu/ — Gamesa, a global technology leader in wind energy, has secured a 10-year, full service operation and maintenance (O&M) agreement with NedPower, to service their 264-megawatt Mount Storm Wind Farm in West Virginia, USA.

The 264 MW Mount Storm Wind Farm is one of the largest wind farms in operation in the eastern United States, featuring 132 Gamesa G80-2.0 MW turbines.

Gamesa has been providing O&M services under a five-year services agreement that went into effect when the project became operational in 2008. That O&M agreement ends June 30, 2013. The new 10-year full service agreement takes effect July 1, 2013.

2.000 MW under service contracts in the US

Gamesa, with an expansive O&M service portfolio, currently has over 2.000 MW under service contracts in the United States.

Inherent in the O&M agreement and services is the Gamesa Premium Availability (GPA) program, launched two years ago. GPA is an O&M continuous improvement program aimed at increasing reliability, reducing risk and lowering the cost of energy. GPA includes a full range of turbine platform upgrades, from operational and software improvements to small correctives, logistics optimization for large correctives and innovative preventive maintenance solutions. These design and service process improvements maximize turbine availability and can reduce wind farm operational expenditures by as much as 10 percent.

The agreement guarantees “Run Time Availability” in line with NedPower’s energy production goals, keeping the turbines online and getting them back into full service quickly after any maintenance; downtime affects wind turbine revenues.

“Wind farm owners and operators understand the value of Gamesa’s O&M services. Increasing long-term turbine optimization reduces risk, generates real cost savings and helps drive profitability for the customer,” said Philippe Delleville, Gamesa North American Vice President of Services. “With nearly two decades of O&M experience, Gamesa remains committed to helping our customers meet and exceed their power production goals by ensuring the turbines are reliable and well maintained.”

“This project had its challenges, but working together with NedPower and with the introduction of GPA, we developed a solid track record which enabled us to achieve production and service goals.  We’re honored by the confidence NedPower has in our O&M services to extend this partnership for another decade,” Delleville said.

The NedPower project has been a true collaboration with Gamesa, with each company dedicating resources to enhance best management practices in operation and safety.

Gamesa and NedPower together worked to develop advancements in safety management, and to integrate those concepts and techniques into the daily operations of the wind farm. One illustration is an improved fall arrest system, jointly engineered and evaluated by the two companies. This joint collaboration has led to a strong health and safety record at the site.

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