French Vergnet to start offering Sinovel turbines

Chinese company Sinovel Wind Group Ltd (SHA:601558) said Wednesday that French sector player Vergnet (EPA:ALVER) will sell Sinovel machines both at home and abroad.

The deal is in line with the partners’ plan to start providing together turnkey services along with maintenance and financing solutions for large-scale onshore wind farms. Wind turbine maker Sinovel may even transfer part of its production to France in the future, it noted.

The exclusive distribution agreement, signed earlier in July, covers Sinovel’s SL1500 and SL3000 models. The turbines will be offered chiefly in France, the Caribbean, the Pacific and the Indian Ocean or used in other identified projects.

The Chinese manufacturer explained that the SL1500 turbine is specifically designed for large-scale wind farms in areas prone to cyclones. The first such machines have already been put into operation on the Chinese island of Hainan.

“With our expertise in the construction of turnkey renewable energy facilities, and Sinovel's highly competitive machines, this partnership will allow us to establish a position in the construction of major wind farms - a market offering considerable growth potential,” Vergnet chairman, Jerome Douat, said.

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