Oct 30 2010
Nordex USA has officially held a function to observe the opening of its major wind turbine production plant in the USA.
The 150,000 square foot plant with latest manufacturing facilities is constructed with an investment of around $40 million. The design of the plant increases the production capability while reducing the waiting time for the clients. The commissioning of the current plant will place Nordex as a leading domestic wind energy manufacturer. The company is planning to spend the rest of its $100 million investment for further development of the plant during the second phase. The inaugural function was attended by Mike Beebe, the governor of the state and Blanche Lincoln, a senior senator of Arkansas.
Wind Turbine
The plant will construct nacelles for use with 2.5 MW wind turbines that will be fitted in the company’s newly introduced, third generation higher output Gamma wind turbines. The manufacturing process had started in the early part of this month and the company has displayed the first nacelle manufactured and set up at its factory. The nacelle, a streamlined enclosure kept at the top of the wind turbine will accommodate the engine of the turbine and its other important parts. Each such nacelle can be manufactured and assembled by the company in two weeks time and the plant has the capability to manufacture around 300 nacelles ever year. The electricity generated from each such manufactured wind turbine can power over 700 American houses. Since the starting of the construction, the company has employed around 54 persons and nearly 80% of them were recruited from the local city in job positions such as process engineering, production assembly, facilities management, supply chain management, safety, quality assurance and training.
The company also has constructed a training academy measuring over 10,000 square foot at the factory site in association with the Arkansas State University. The facility will impart mechatronic skills to the students mixing mechanical and electrical technology that is required for wind turbine production.