Tunisia Set for Mega Wind Power Capacity Boost

Spanish wind turbine generator manufacturer Gamesa announced late last week that its subsidiary MADE will supply 91 of its AE-61 wind turbine generators to Tunisia’s Société Tunisienne de L’Electricité et du Gaz (STEG), worth approximately €200 million ($289.5 million).

These turbines with a total power of 120 MW will be supplied to the Metline and Kchabta wind farms, both of which are located in the Bizerte region of the North African country. The agreement includes the turnkey supply of wind turbines, operation and maintenance, and a substation and power line for each wind farm.
 

Gamesa reports that the Tunisian project will receive financing from the Spanish Development Aid Fund (Fondo Español de Ayuda al Desarrollo), and will also have a significant local component. A portion of the ancillary equipment will be built in Tunisia and the wind farms’ civil and electrical works will be subcontracted in the country.  It is also expected that 120 new direct local jobs are to be created during the first two years of the project.

The installations’ yearly production of 120 MW would replace 35,691 tons of petroleum equivalent generated power a year in addition a decrease of 311,261 tons of CO2 a year.

Gamesa’s Chairman and CEO, Guillermo Ulacia, commented on the deal, “This agreement highlights the continuity of the relationship with STEG through a project in which MADE once again makes available its experience and the advanced technology of its wind turbines.”