Bakker Magnetics, a Dutch specialist in complex magnetic solutions, can start with the production and assembly of the magnet modules for the Haliade-X turbines that will be installed in the 3.6 GW British Dogger Bank offshore wind project. GE Renewable Energy has awarded Bakker Magnetics the order and the financing has now been completed.
The Dogger Bank offshore wind project off the coast of North East England is being built in 3 phases (Dogger Bank A, B and C). Combined, the wind farms will have a capacity of 3.6 GW. For comparison, this is enough to power 4.8 million British households annually. The first power supply is expected in 2023.
GE Renewable Energy supplies its Haliade-X direct drive wind turbines, one of the largest turbines available. The Dogger Bank A and B phases will feature in total 190 of the 13 MW version and phase C the 14 MW version. A prototype of this has been operational on Maasvlakte 2 in Rotterdam for some time now.
Magnet modules for Haliade-X
The turbine supplier turned to Bakker Magnetics because of its specific magnet and assembly knowhow, Bakker Magnetics said. The company specializes in assembling the magnetic modules that are placed in the generators of wind turbines and has its own production site in Son, in the Netherlands. These magnetic modules are placed between the rotor blades and the housing and create a magnetic field that generates electricity in the generator. Each module contains no fewer than 147 magnets; different in shape and with positive and negative poles. The assembly therefor is a challenging operation, Geert-Jan Bakker, CEO of Bakker Magnetics explains.
Tailor-made financing solution
For Bakker Magnetics, this large order means a significant expansion of activities for which financing was required. Because the application did not fit into the standard frameworks of the major banks, Caple, European specialist in SME growth credit, together with their business partner De Beemd Corporate Finance, offered a tailor-made financing solution. As a result, the required financing of 3.9 million euros in the company was facilitated from BNP Paribas Asset Management. Source: Bakker Magnetics
