THE BEST PARTS OF WIND

Top wind-turbine firms: U.S. parts makers needed; Good news comes at Cobo conference
Katherine Yung, March 4, 2009 (Detroit Free Press)

"Some of the world's biggest wind-turbine companies told Michigan manufacturers some good news…They still need more U.S. parts makers…[S]everal leading turbine manufacturers such as Vestas, Nordex AG and Siemens AG…at the Michigan Wind Energy Conference at Cobo Center…[said they] are still moving forward with plans to build their own U.S. supply chains…[and establish] U.S. assembly factories because they expect Americans' demand for wind energy to soar in coming years…

"Vestas, the world's leading turbine maker, wants to obtain all the parts that go into its U.S.-built turbines from U.S. suppliers…Vestas plans to launch four factories in Colorado this year to assemble blades, towers and nacelles -- key parts of a turbine…[J]ust as in the auto industry, some turbine companies like Nordex are looking for U.S. companies to serve their top tier one suppliers, most of whom are European firms."

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"Though Michigan still lacks a large turbine manufacturing plant, it's home to a large number of manufacturing companies eager to make wind-turbine parts…NextEnergy, a nonprofit organization in Detroit working to advance the state's alternative energy industry, estimates that 35 of the state's manufacturers are supplying parts or services to the wind industry. That number is expected to jump dramatically, and NextEnergy has been arranging private meetings…

"This year, tight credit conditions and low oil prices are threatening the wind industry's growth. But the Obama administration's focus on renewable energy and the new economic-stimulus plan are expected to increase the number of wind-energy projects…"