GE Renewable Energy contracted wind-turbine installation and service company Global Wind Service (GWS) to deliver crane and installation for the commissioning of the ÄŒibuk 1 wind farm in Serbia. It will be the largest wind project in the Western Balkans.
Pre-assembly started at the site in November 2017, and installation is planned to finish in the third quarter of 2018.
The ÄŒibuk 1 wind farm is the first project in Serbia where GWS has been awarded both installation and craning. Vetroelektrane Balkana (WEBG), the project company behind ÄŒibuk 1, is wholly owned by Tesla Wind, a 60/40 joint venture between Masdar, Abu Dhabi Future Energy Company, and ÄŒibuk Wind Holding.
“We are very pleased that GE Renewable Energy has given us this opportunity to take on more responsibility by awarding us with both installation and craning,” said Michael Høj Olsen, chief commercial officer at GWS. “Having the full scope within one contract will enable us to work more efficiently by means of improved planning and coordination between the two parties.”
Due to expected potential in the Serbian market, and more work secured, GWS has established a local business unit in Serbia — supporting GWS business in the country for not only this, but also other projects.
“GWS has a strong emphasis on continued growth, and as such, Serbia, which is a relatively new wind-energy market, is very interesting and promising for us” said Lars Petersen, CEO and co-founder of GWS.
Serbia is a member of the European Energy Community and in the process of joining the EU. The country has committed to increase its share of renewable energy in an action plan. In terms of the electricity sector, Serbia is aiming for 500MW of wind capacity by 2020 — wind thereby comprising 27.4 percent of the country’s total planned capacity of renewable energy for the electricity sector.
Source: Global Wind Service
For more information, go to globalwindservice.com
