Repower Systems AG, the German subsidiary of Suzlon Energy Ltd, has won what could be the world's largest wind energy deal. REpower has signed an agreement with RWE Innogy GmbH of Germany to supply 250 offshore wind turbines. The potential volume of business is around €2 billion.

The first 30 offshore wind energy units of the 5M model are scheduled to be delivered in 2011, with volumes rising between 2012 and 2015. According to the deal, REpower will be supplying its 5M and 6M offshore wind turbines, which are said to be the most powerful wind turbines in the world.

Most of the turbines will be used for Innogy's proposed 1,000-mw offshore wind farm—Innogy Nordsee 1—that is 40 km north of the island of Juist. Between 150 and 180 turbines will be installed at water depths of 26-34m. The wind farm (which will be invisible from the coast due to its distance!) holds the potential to supply electricity to nearly 8 lakh households. The wind farm is said to be the largest off the German coast.

REpower's 5M/6M turbines: The rotor blades of REpower's 5M and 6M turbines are 61.5m in length with the (rotating) area of the three blades larger than two football fields. These turbines have nominal capacity of 5 mw and 6 mw, respectively. The 5M series was launched in around 2005, with 17 turbines already installed. The 6M model is relatively new with the first three turbines being installed in an onshore project in Denmark.