Renewable Energy Systems (USA) is celebrating the erection of the final turbine of the 48MW Nine Canyon Wind Project, in the state of Washington, USA. The wind farm, the largest public-owned wind project in the USA, has been built on a turnkey contract by RES (USA) for Energy Northwest and will be handed over this week.

Construction of the 37 Bonus turbines, each with a capacity of 1.3MW, has taken just three months and the project was completed on schedule, despite numerous days when wind conditions were so fierce that work had to be stopped. Turbine delivery was an outstanding success, with barges being used to transport turbines and towers along the Columbia River.

Chris Morgan, Engineering Director for the RES Group, said;

"This has been a tremendously successful construction project for RES on behalf of our valued client Energy Northwest. RES, turbine supplier Bonus, and all other parties involved have worked together to overcome the challenges it has presented, in order to meet the project deadline. This is RES’ first project for Energy Northwest and our first in this part of the US. We have enjoyed the collaboration and we look forward to extending our operations in this region."

Dan Porter, Energy Northwest’s manager of project development commented;

"I want to congratulate RES on achieving this terrific milestone. Chris Hills and the entire RES organization are producing an outstanding project and we at Energy Northwest could not have been more pleased with their commitment and performance.".

Project milestones have included:

Energy Northwest will own the Nine Canyon Wind Project and will be responsible for operation and maintenance. The power from the project will be bought by nine different utilities in the state of Washington: Benton PUD (Public Utility District), Chelan PUD, Douglas PUD, Grant PUD, Grays Harbor PUD, Lewis PUD, Mason PUD, Okanogan PUD and Columbia Generating Station.

ENDS