SGRE secures 325MW onshore order from ‘undisclosed’ US customer

The turbine manufacturer will supply 65 SG 5.0-145 wind turbines along with a multi-year service agreement, with delivery by summer of 2021 and commissioning by the end of next year.

Shannon Sturgil, CEO of Onshore North America at SGRE, said: “An order of this size evidences the strong suitability and success of the SG 5.0-145 for the US market.”

The development comes despite US tech giant GE looking to block SGRE turbines from the US market, claiming the European manufacturer is infringing its intellectual property (IP).

GE filed the complaint to the US International Trade Commission on low and zero voltage ride-through technologies (LVRT and ZVRT) of variable-speed turbines.

The technology leads to optimum power amid fluctuating wind speeds.

Siemens Gamesa has denied the allegation and issued a statement saying it would defend itself an exclusion order that could block the firm importing wind turbines or components to the US.

An IP expert pointed out that GE’s lawsuit could backfire, with Vestas and Nordex potentially befitting from the legal action against SGRE.

He further warned that the licences from GE for its LVRT and ZVRT could cost SGRE about $220 million.

The control system for the SG 5.0-145 turbine makes the most of enhanced blade aerodynamics to optimise power generation, with a flexible 4.0-5.0MW power rating.

The company says its modular design increases mechanical capacity as well as helping with logistics and construction.

SGRE is targeting the US as a key market, with 22GW installed across 34 states.