Orlando. Fla., March 30, 2011 — Siemens Energy has been awarded another order from Minnesota Power for 35 3-MW SWT-3.0-101 direct drive wind turbines for its Bison 2 wind energy center near Center, North Dakota.

The scope of supply for the wind power plant with a capacity of 105 MW includes erection and commissioning of the 35 wind turbines, as well as a three-year service and maintenance agreement.

Deliveries of the wind turbines will commence in August 2012, and the wind power plant is slated for completion by late 2012. This order is the third contract award for Siemens direct drive wind turbines in the U.S., including Minnesota Power's Bison 1 North Dakota and Oklahoma Gas and Electric's Crossroads Oklahoma wind power plants.

The SWT-3.0-101 direct drive wind turbine with a rated capacity of 3 MW and a rotor diameter of 101 meters offers an innovative direct drive concept with a permanent magnet generator. This type of generator features a robust, compact design, requiring no excitation power, slip rings or excitation control systems.

In addition to the 3-MW direct drive turbine, Siemens launched the SWT-2.3-113 gearless wind turbine with a rating of 2.3 MW and a rotor diameter of 113 meters for low to moderate wind conditions in March 2011.

The company also expects to launch a new 6-MW direct drive wind turbine by the end of the year, which will be particularly suitable for large offshore wind power plants.