Siemens Energy will supply Minnesota Power’s Bison 1 wind power plant with 15 of its SWT-3.0-101 direct drive wind turbines in Center, North Dakota. The company adjusted their initial order, replacing 33 Siemens SWT-2.3-101 geared wind turbines with 16 SWT-2.3-101 turbines and 15 SWT-3.0-101 direct drive machines. As per the order, Siemens will commission, transport and erect the 15 direct drive wind turbines, which are scheduled for delivery in August 2011. With a rated power of 3MW and a rotor diameter of 101m, the SWT-3.0-101 turbine offers a new direct drive concept called the permanent magnet generator. When compared to a conventional wind turbine with gearboxes, Siemens has decreased the number of parts in the turbine by half. Fewer moving parts allow the direct drive technology to significantly reduce maintenance time, resulting in even higher turbine availability.