The global project developer wpd has placed another order with the Nordex Group for N163/5.X turbines in Finland. The Nordex Group will supply 17 turbines from the Delta4000 series for the 96.9 MW "Nuolivaara" wind farm. The order also includes a Premium Service contract covering a period of 15 years and an option to extend by a further five years.

The "Nuolivaara" wind farm will be built some 25 kilometres to the north-east of the centre of Kemijärvi, between the municipalities of Kemijärvi and Salla in the north of Finland. Due to the harsh, cold climate to the north of the Polar Circle, the Nordex Group will be supplying the turbines in the cold-climate version. This means that the turbines can be operated at temperatures down to -30 C. The rotor blades will be equipped with the Advanced Anti-Icing System. The system prevents the rotor blades from icing before ice starts to form. This reduces power losses significantly as the turbines can be operated continuously also in harsh Nordic conditions.

"We are pleased to once again be able to support wpd's growth plans in northern Europe with the latest order for the N163/5X turbine. Depending on the climate conditions, since years we equip every second wind farm of our customers in the Nordic countries with the cold-climate version and our anti-icing system," says Patxi Landa, CSO of the Nordex Group. In addition, he adds: "We are convinced that the highly efficient N163/5.X will also be able to generate constant high yields throughout the year at this demanding northern location."

"The Nuolivaara project represents an important further step for wpd in the growth market of Finland. We are glad that with Nordex we have a manufacturer at our side with whom we can meet the specific climatic conditions in Northern Finland," says Heikki Peltomaa, managing director of wpd Finland Oy. "With this project, we will further establish our solid position in the Finnish market and advance the energy transition in Northern Europe."

Installation of "Nuolivaara" is due to be completed in 2022. The Nordex Group will supply the turbines in the project-specific 5.7 MW operating mode on tubular steel towers with a hub height of 159 metres. This tower variant is also being used in the first joint Finnish project by wpd and the Nordex Group with N163/5.X turbines: as recently as the end of 2020 wpd placed an order with the Nordex Group to supply the turbines for its 188 MW "Karhunnevankangas" wind farm in Finland.

KeyFacts Energy Industry Directory: Nordex