Vantaa, Finland, June 26, 2013 – The Switch, a leading supplier of megawatt-class permanent magnet generator and full-power converter packages for wind power and other renewable energy applications, received orders for key wind power components from PROKON of Germany. Together with repeat agreements from China, the total order value The Switch received during June is over EUR 100 million, resulting in the largest order backlog in the company’s history.
On June 17, 2013, The Switch and Germany-based PROKON signed an agreement for the delivery of 100 direct-drive 3 MW permanent magnet generator (PMG) and full-power converter (FPC) drive trains. This order follows previous orders of the same class, and strengthens PROKON’s position as a single-source power park provider.
“These orders show growing confidence again in wind power in all parts of the world,” says Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen, President and CEO of The Switch. “The PROKON order is a good sign that Europe is regaining its belief in wind and other renewables, enabling companies like PROKON with innovative business concepts to grow in a stable and scalable manner.”
PROKON’s unique business model is based on selling its shares, giving people the opportunity to invest in renewable energy. To date, PROKON has 65,670 shareholders with over EUR 1.13 billion invested in the company. As of January 2013, the company also provides electricity directly to consumers.
“We’re pleased to continue working with The Switch. Together, we have been able to define our roles and collaboration to provide wind parks with the latest PMG-based technology that features minimum maintenance requirements to ensure the highest annual energy production level and quality of electricity. This way of working allows us to implement our plan with competent partners,” says Ralf Dohmann, Managing Director of PROKON Regenerative Energien GmbH.
PROKON has installed 296 wind turbines at 49 wind parks in Germany and Poland. It is now planning its first wind parks in Finland, where 100 new turbines shall be installed within the coming years.
Also in June, The Switch received significant orders from its Chinese customers. In total, these orders are worth well over EUR 100 million. This helps The Switch increase its presence in the market and indicates a strong technology shift to PMG as the choice for the future. Currently, PMG has a share of over 15% of all new installed wind power drive trains.
“Companies like PROKON will create a new class of winners in the wind power industry,” Jukka-Pekka Mäkinen sums up.
About PROKON
With more than 1,000 employees, the PROKON Group is active in developing projects for the wind energy sector. Established in 1995, PROKON has installed 296 wind turbines in 49 wind parks. The turbines have a total power of more than 489 MW and have already produced over 5 billion kWh of electric power. Furthermore, PROKON is well established as a provider of ecological investments with profit-sharing rights. More than 65,670 shareholders have invested more than EUR 1.13 billion to date. Since 2013, the PROKON Group has extended its portfolio by providing electricity directly to consumers. Other PROKON business areas comprise the production and use of biogenic fuels and the sustainable use of renewable resource wood.
This story is featured in Switching on Frequently 02/2013.
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