Construction of Alta Wind Energy Center in California's Mojave Desert ahead of schedule, 100 of 190 turbines now producing power; final commissioning of all turbines expected by mid-April

Yohana Valdez

RANDERS, Denmark , March 7, 2011 (press release) – Construction Manager Pepé Ramirez has worked on 31 construction projects in his 16 years at Vestas. None have been as large as the Alta Wind Energy Center — Phases II-V — in California’s Mojave Desert, comprised of 190 V90-3.0 MW turbines. (Phase I used GE turbines.)

“Our Transport and Service departments have been very important to the project’s success so far,” said Ramirez, who is a key player in the project — the biggest turbine order Vestas has received for a specific site. “Construction and Service have been working well as a team. And we’ve been able to do this safely with no injuries.”

Vestas met aggressive delivery and construction deadlines set by the customer, Terra-Gen, ahead of schedule.

One key milestone was the first phase of 50 turbines (Alta Phase II) had to be commissioned by Dec. 21, 2010.

“There was a lot of go-go-go,” Ramirez said. “We knew we had a deadline, but that wasn’t my priority. My priorities were safety and quality. We don’t want to sacrifice that.”

The team achieved final completion Dec. 18, only two months after installation began

“Pepé has done a great job of keeping people motivated and engaged on the site,” said Don Webber, Yield Based Service Program Manager. “In addition, a lot of great people in the SBU, PBUs and Group have worked together to make this project happen.”

In mid-February all 190 turbines had been delivered ahead of schedule — Transport coordinated the delivery of 10-plus turbines per week for more than six months — and 167 have been erected, which is six weeks ahead of schedule. Ramirez said last week 100 of the turbines were producing power and have been handed over to Service.

Vestas expects final commissioning of all 190 by mid-April.

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