Windflow Progresses UK Market Entry Plans

2 July 2010

Windflow Technology, the NZ designer and manufacturer of the Windflow 500 wind turbine, has made its first steps towards entering the UK market due to a government policy which has led to massive demand for 500 kW turbines.

On 1 April 2010, the UK government introduced a system of feed-in tariffs (FITs) to incentivise small scale (less than 5MW), low carbon, electricity generation.  (See http://www.decc.gov.uk).

Wind projects in the 100 – 500 kW range using new (not second-hand) turbines, are guaranteed a payment for the electricity they generate (18.8 p/kWh) for 20 years and in addition will be offered a minimum of 3 p/kWh for any electricity exported to the grid, with both tariffs inflated annually.  (Total approximately NZ 45c/kWh). 

Wind projects of >500 - 1500kW receive a payment of 9.4 p/kWh and from 1500 – 5000 kW (1.5 - 5 MW) receive 4.5 p/kWh and will also be offered the minimum export tariff 3p/kWh.

As the Windflow 500 is one of the only 500 kW turbines in production in the world, and has a proven track record of 66 turbines performing in strong winds, the company has received unprecedented interest from this market in the past few months.  

Two Windflow staff attended the All-Energy exhibition in Aberdeen in May to qualify, research, and meet with potential partners and another two staff have been at the Royal Highland Show near Edinburgh in June promoting the turbine.

Windflow is working towards finalising an agreement with an exclusive distributor in the UK.

For any questions please contact:

Sheralee MacDonald

Marketing Manager

(03) 365 8960 extn 109