Siemens Energy has secured a contract to supply wind turbines for the Westermeerwind project in the Netherlands.

Under the contract, the company will supply 48 direct drive wind turbines to the project, which is claimed to be the country’s largest near shore wind farm.

The contract also represents the first wind power plant Siemens Wind Power’s Offshore unit will erect for handover to the customer on a turnkey basis.

In addition to supplying turbines, Siemens will also provide a 15-year comprehensive maintenance services, during which the owner will benefit from Siemens’ guaranteed availability.

The 144MW Westermeerwind near shore wind farm will be erected in the IJsselmeer lake along the northern and western dike of the Dutch municipality of Noordoostpolder.

The 48 Siemens SWT-3.0-108 wind turbines will be arranged in three rows in the shallow waters between 500m and 1,100m from the dike. Each wind turbine is capable of generating 3MW with a 108m rotor diameter, ensuring maximum efficiency.

Preparation works on the site will start in the middle quarter of 2014, followed by offshore installation in 2015.

Upon completion between end of 2015 and early 2016, the wind project will generate enough electricity to meet the demands of 160,000 Dutch homes.

The project will thereby significantly contribute to the Netherlands reaching their climate-protection targets of generating 14% of its electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020.

The Westermeerwind project is expected to bring approximately 150 additional jobs to the area during the erection phase. Some 30 technicians and other specialists are also expected to be needed over the 15-year service period to operate the wind park.

Farmers and citizens of the facility’s three neighboring councils of Noordoostpolder, Urk and Lemsterland will be offered the opportunity to invest in this wind park around one year after realisation in 2016.