Brandt asked why we aren’t proposing to use 5 megawatt or larger wind turbines, as opposed to the 3 megawatt turbine now planned for the project. Brandt’s logic is right on. In theory, fewer turbines mean fewer towers, foundations, and other hardware costs. And if the hardware costs less, but you generate the same amount of electricity, that means the electricity you generate will cost even less.

But there is more to consider than simply the cost of the hardware. An equally important factor is the reliability of the turbine...


The Vestas 3 megawatt turbine this project will use is one of the largest, most reliable turbines in use in the world today. In addition, this turbine has been used on many of the world’s major offshore wind parks. Nearly 1/3rd of all the offshore wind projects now operating in the world use this same turbine. Furthermore, Vestas has proven to be a reliable company, and has always ensured that their wind turbines perform as guaranteed.

Given the excellent reputation this turbine has earned, it’s perhaps no surprise that it was selected by all of the world’s offshore wind projects developed during the years 2005 and 2006. This turbine has also been selected by other large utilities for their land-based projects here in the United States. The Vestas 3 megawatt turbine has proven itself a reliable workhorse around the world, generating electricity for tens of thousands of Americans and Europeans day in and day out. This world-class reliability is the primary reason why we proposed that this turbine be used here in Delaware as well.