Denmark

Dong cuts investments, but wind power is not affected
Danish company Dong Energy has announced that it will reduce its annual investment budget from €2.69bn to €2.00bn as of 2010. The reduced investment level is not expected to affect the wind power investments, but Dong has to cut costs as a result of the reduced energy consumption that has followed the financial crisis. It has also announced that it will increase its savings programme by DKK 350mn over the next three years.
Dong's website

Finland

WinWinD appoints new CEO
Finnish wind turbine manufacturer WinWinD appointed Ilkka Hakala as Group Chief Executive Officer as from 1 June 2009. Previously, Hakala was CEO of Finnish Moventas, a mechanical power transmission company that develops, manufactures and markets wind turbine gears and mechanical drives for the process industries.
Press release


Japan

Vergnet signs agreement with Okinawa Electric
Vergnet, the only French manufacturer of wind turbines, has signed a joint venture agreement with Okinawa Electric, for the distribution, installation and maintenance of its 'far wind' turbine system in Japan. The company will install two wind turbines on the Okinawa Islands.
Vergnet press release


Poland

Vattenfall buys minority stakes in VHP and GZE
The Polish government and Swedish company Vattenfall have reached agreement over the acquisition of remaining shares in Vattenfall Heat Poland (VHP), previously known as Elektrocieplownie Warszawskie, and Gornoslaski Zaklad Elektroenergetyczny (GZE). It is estimated that the value of the transaction will exceed €289.02mn.

Romania

Vestas may open wind turbine component production unit
The Danish wind turbines manufacturer Vestas may invest in a wind turbine component factory in Romania, depending on the country’s long-term policies and commitment to support the wind energy sector. Vestas said that the Romanian grid’s capacity of the electricity network to take on wind energy is a concern for investors – it is said that the grid capacity is currently between 2,000-3,000 MW. There is currently 10 MW of wind energy capacity installed in the country
Vestas website


Sweden

Vattenfall plans major wind farms at home
Swedish power company Vattenfall has initiated plans to construct a 40-50 turbine wind farm in Swedish Valdemarsvik. Building work should begin in autumn 2010. It has also taken a definite investment decision regarding a 40 turbine wind farm in Stor-Rotliden in Åsele municipality. The project cost of the Valdemarsvik farm is forecast to be €138.38mn, and for Åsele, €143.42mn.
Vattenfall press releases

UK

Acciona Energy plans Scottish wind farm
Acciona Energy UK, which is owned by the Spanish company Acciona Energy, has submitted an application for a 30MW wind farm near Thornhill, in Scotland. The farm will be made up of 15 to 20 turbines. Acciona will seek planning consent from Dumfries and Galloway Council later in 2009, after it has investigated the suitability of the site. The project will be Acciona's fourth UK wind farm proposal - it has 94MW in the planning stages in the UK.
Press release