Vestas has secured a five-year service-contract extension for each of Infigen Energy’s four wind farms utilising Vestas turbines in Australia.

The agreements cover a total of 367.6 MW of installed capacity comprising 166 turbines across the three stages of the Lake Bonney Wind Farm in South Australia and the Alinta Wind Farm in Western Australia, and will extend Vestas’ service of these projects until 31 December 2017.

Lake Bonney 1 includes 46 V66 wind turbines at 1.75 MW each which began producing energy in March 2005. Lake Bonney 2 and Lake Bonney 3 consist of 66 V90-3.0 MW turbines that were completed in 2008 and 2010, respectively. While Alinta Wind Farm consists of 54 Vestas NM82 wind turbines with a rating of 1.65 MW and started producing energy in January 2006. 

 “We are pleased to continue our strong partnership with Infigen Energy,” said Sean Sutton, President of Vestas Asia Pacific. “This service contract renewal shows the strong faith and confidence by Infigen Energy on our latest service and maintenance option. The credit should also go to the excellent work done by my colleagues who are maintaining these wind farms.”

Under the agreements, Vestas will provide a full range of services to maximise the energy production of the turbines. The contract includes Vestas’ latest Active Output Management (AOM) 5000 service option. AOM 5000 is the complete service option to ensure minimised lost production through an energy-based availability guarantee. By aligning service and maintenance execution with low wind periods, AOM 5000 guarantees a defined turbine availability and productivity, and ensures the highest possible output at all times. The service agreements also consist of scheduled and unscheduled maintenance as well as replacement of major components and spare parts.

Infigen Energy’s Managing Director Miles George said, “These agreements are competitive with alternative solutions available to Infigen, including in-house maintenance and third-party providers.” “They will contribute towards Infigen’s goal of providing stable and predictable returns through effective containment of post-warranty wind farm costs, and achieve reduced risk in a post-warranty environment,” he said.

Since 2001, Vestas has supplied 665 turbines in Australia, equating to 1,261 MW of installed wind generating capacity (as per 31 December 2011). This provides enough electricity to power more than 800,000 Australian homes.