April 26 - The first shipment of wind turbine blades manufactured by REpower Systems has moved over the port of Wilmington, Delaware, 11 years after the US East Coast port handled its first wind power energy generating equipment.

REpower, a Suzlon group company, ranks as the world's fifth largest wind turbine manufacturing group specialiSing in both onshore and offshore wind turbines. 

Gene Bailey, executive director of port operator Diamond State Port Corporation (DSPC), says: "We welcome REpower to the Port of Wilmington, Delaware and are extremely honoured to be selected as its supply chain partner for the discharge, storage and delivery of its wind turbine blades to the Twin Ridges Wind Farm. 

"The Port of Wilmington is a perfect fit for wind power cargo as Delaware boasts a strategic mid-Atlantic location, excellent rail and highway connectivity, ample berth and storage space as well as modern heavy lift equipment." 

The Port of Wilmington has been handling progressively more complex wind power projects since 2001. The Star Hansa discharged 45 REpower wind turbine blades, each of which were around 50 m in length, for one of the largest wind projects in Pennsylvania, the Twin Ridges Wind Farm in Somerset County. When construction is completed, the Twin Ridges Wind Farm will consist of 68 MM92 turbines, REpower's best selling wind turbine model. This sophisticated wind turbine's wingspan is over 100 m and the MM92 is capable of generating 2.05 MW of power even at a wind speed of only 40 km/h.

www.portofwilmington.com