Gamesa, a global technology leader in wind energy, and Iberdrola signed a new framework agreement calling for the power company to purchase from Gamesa a minimum of 50% of the total onshore turbine fleet it buys for its renewable energy business on Spanish and international markets between 2013 and 2022, or until the number of MW purchased totals 3,800 MW, whichever comes first.
The new agreement extends the companies' joint efforts to other business areas which are strategic for Gamesa, including operation and maintenance services (O&M) and offshore wind energy.
The new agreement replaces a contract signed by both companies in June 2008. Nonetheless, the rights and obligations of that framework contract remain intact for next year in terms of planned capacity of 502 MW in 2012.
New joint cooperation in maintenance services (O&M) and offshore
The companies have also resolved to work together on operation and maintenance services to enable Gamesa to attain lead provider status vis-à-vis Iberdrola:
The power company will award Gamesa a three-year contract to service 1,748.3 MW of its G4X-650 kW and G5X-850 kW turbine systems in Spain and Portugal;
Moreover, Iberdrola will extend by one year the companies' current contract for operation and maintenance (O&M) services on 2,312 MW of its G8X-2.0 MW turbines installed at wind farms in Spain and Portugal;
The partners will embark on new areas of research in the provision of maintenance services (O&M); management of these services in the United States, and other programmes for enhancing the reliability of wind turbines, extending their life cycle and wind turbine conversion.
In the offshore business, they will work closely together on new opportunities, including the development and eventual supply of Gamesa turbines to Iberdrola.
"The agreement establishes a new foundation for cooperation in response to the economic and industry environment of recent years, affords us stability and expands the framework cooperation agreement to Gamesa's key areas of growth for coming years: supplying wind turbines, but also operation and maintenance services (O&M) and offshore, all of which the company is firmly committed to developing," said Gamesa Chairman and CEO Jorge Calvet.