Capital Energy and Siemens Gamesa first in Europe to tap three blade lifters for transportation at Buseco

Revolutionary technique enables both companies to minimise impact during  construction of first Asturian wind farm 

• First time the vertical transport method has been used with 65-metre blades like those to be fitted to the turbines in this farm, the most powerful in the region, with a 5 megawatt (MW) unit capacity
• The renewable facility in Tineo, Villayón and Valdés will have 50 MW of power and supply clean energy to 54,000 households, preventing the emission of over 51,600 tons of CO₂ per year
• Asturias key to renewable work at Capital Energy, where it has over 30 projects  delivering more than 1,250 MW of capacity. Construction of portfolio could entail investment of €1 Bn and provide over 3,000 direct jobs

Oviedo, 13 January 2022.- Capital Energy, the Spanish energy company founded two decades ago that aims to become the first vertically integrated 100% renewable energy operator on the Iberian peninsula, and Siemens Gamesa, one of the leading wind turbine manufacturers in the international arena, continue to promote the creation of environmental, social and economic wealth in the Principality of Asturias.

In the course of the logistical work associated with the construction of the first Asturian wind farm by Capital Energy, Buseco, the two companies have become European pioneers in the use of three blade lifters for the vertical transportation of the blades that will equip the wind turbines of the renewable facility. The turbines are also the most powerful in the region, with a 5 megawatt (MW) unit capacity.

This is also the first time the lifter technique with 65-metre blades has been used on the continent. With this revolutionary method, Siemens Gamesa and Capital Energy have minimised the environmental impact associated with blade transportation, in line with the firms’ sustainability strategy and commitment to protecting biodiversity.

Buseco, located in the Asturian towns of Tineo, Villayón and Valdés and expected to go into operation in the first third of 2022, will have a capacity of 50 MW, distributed across ten SG 5.0–132-model turbines. It will also be able to generate 129,000 megawatt hours (MWh) of clean energy per year, equivalent to the consumption of close to 54,000 Asturian households and prevent the annual emission of over 51,600 tonnes of CO₂.

The development of the wind farm has had a positive impact on the business fabric of both Asturias and Spain. Among local suppliers the group has drawn on to promote a key facility for its renewables work and to which it has allocated some €6 Mn are companies with strong roots in the region such as Windar, which made the tower sections of the wind turbines, Isastur, Taxus and Roxu, which did consultancy work and provided various services.

Similarly, many of the Buseco wind turbines were produced at Siemens Gamesa factories across Spain. The 10 nacelles were assembled at the Ágreda (Soria) plant, the gearboxes were produced at the facilities in Asteasu (Guipúzcoa), Lerma (Burgos province) and Burgos city, and the electrical components were made at the factories in Reinosa (Cantabria), San Fernando de Henares (Madrid) and Benisanó (Valencia).

Firm commitment to Asturias

Capital Energy has more than 30 wind projects under development in the region, delivering over 1,200 MW of installed capacity. More than half are located in areas of influence of green and fair energy transition agreements.

The construction of this portfolio could entail a total investment of around €1 Bn and produce over 3,000 direct jobs, as well as potential revenues for the regional and municipal coffers of some €28 Mn. In addition, in the operation and maintenance phase, Capital Energy would provide stable, quality employment to more than 250 local workers each year and generate an annual economic impact of almost €2 Mn on local coffers.

Capital Energy is also contemplating the rollout of other vectors associated with the deployment of renewables, such as green hydrogen, as well as technologies that will optimise facilities and bring stability to the system, including energy storage. As part of the firm’s commitment to innovation, its corporate venture fund Capital Energy Quantum is actively engaging in the fourth Open Innovation 4.0 Programme of the Asturian Institute for Economic Development (IDEPA) and the Asturian branch of the European Business and Innovation Centre (CEEI).

The group has also signed a collaboration agreement with Isastur, specialists in building infrastructures for the energy sector, that shores up the industrial relationship already in place between the firms. Also of note is the fact that Capital Energy was recognised as the Best Company to Work For in Asturias in the Great Place to Work 2021 Asturias Best Workplaces ranking.

About Capital Energy

In line with its commitment to a green and fair energy transition, Capital Energy currently has a wind and solar portfolio on the Iberian Peninsula of around 35 gigawatts (GW) of power, with more than 8.7 GW already awarded grid access permits.

Capital Energy has delivered on its strategic goal of operating across the entire renewable energy value chain: from design, where it has a consolidated position thanks to its nearly 20‑year track record, to construction, production, storage, operation and supply to end customers. The company already has 16 offices in Spain and Portugal.

About Siemens Gamesa

Siemens Gamesa unlocks the power of the wind. For more than 40 years, we have been a pioneer and leader of the wind industry, and today our team of more than 25,000 colleagues work at the center of the global energy revolution to tackle the most significant challenge of our generation – the climate crisis. With a leading position in onshore, offshore and service, we engineer, build and deliver powerful and reliable wind energy solutions in strong partnership with our customers. A global business with local impact, we have installed close to 118 GW and provide access to clean, affordable and sustainable energy that keeps the lights on across the world. To find out more, visit www.siemensgamesa.com and connect with us on social media.