Wind power expansion

GE Energy plans to invest over $100m (£57m) to expand manufacturing operations in Europe and launch its 2.5xl wind turbine.

The company’s wind turbine manufacturing facility in Salzbergen, Germany, will be developed in line with the increasing demands of Europe’s wind-power industry.

According to the European Wind Energy Association, Europe’s wind-power capacity has increased almost sixfold since 2000 and GE expects this growth to continue.

Victor Abate, vice president-renewables for GE Energy, said: ‘As GE’s European Renewable Energy Center of Excellence, the Salzbergen site is the base for the serial production of the 2.5xl wind turbine - a high reliability machine specifically designed to meet the immediate requirements of Europe, where the lack of available land can constrain the size of projects.’

The 2.5xl wind turbine is said to be GE’s most advanced turbine for efficiency and meets the latest stability and availability standards of European distribution networks.

The Salzbergen plant development will include the addition of 28,000 square metres of property, redevelopment of the production hall and implementation of Lean Six Sigma manufacturing processes.

As well as improvement to manufacturing facilities, the expansion will create over 160 local jobs and enhance training and services capabilities.