Wind firm facing patent infringement suit

A Danish company that designed many wind turbines operational in Ireland is being taken to court over alleged patent infringement.


Vestas, the Danish firm, has built more than half of the 650 wind turbines in Ireland, the Sunday Business Post reports, but German firm Enercon claims that they infringe its registered patent rights.

Enercon, which says it had offered Vestas a licence for patented technology, became concerned when representatives witnessed a Vestas presentation. Elements of the manufacturing process appeared to transgress Enercon patents.

The case will come to the High Court in Dublin this week.

Separately, Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE), the second-largest power producer in the UK, has signed a deal to buy Irish wind farm company Airtricity for Euro 1.08 billion.

SSE will also take on Airtricity’s Euro 375 million debt. The deal will more than double the company’s wind energy capacity.

Ben Meggeson

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