ABILENE, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Marking a milestone that exemplifies how more wind power means more jobs, Broadwind Energy, Inc. (NASDAQ: BWEN) celebrated the opening of its wind turbine drivetrain service center in Abilene, Texas.
At this new state-of-the-art facility, Broadwind integrates engineering, disassembly, clean assembly and 3 MW full-load testing of wind turbine gearboxes with 500 MW of annual throughput capability. That’s good news for the wind power industry in Texas, which leads the nation in installed wind capacity. Texas, in fact, recently passed the 10,000-MW mark—a quarter of the United States’ total installed wind capacity.
The new Broadwind drivetrain service center is expected to employ about 60 people at full capacity. Also indicative of how wind power can inject new manufacturing life into a community: the drivetrain facility once served as a Lockheed Martin manufacturing plant. The renovated and expanded facility represents a $7 million investment by Broadwind Energy.
“At the rate Texas has been installing wind power, Broadwind Energy’s new wind turbine drivetrain service center couldn’t have come sooner,” said Denise Bode, CEO of the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA). “There’s a reason why Broadwind is adding more jobs in Texas—because the Lone Star State knows energy, and it has embraced wind power. Through its new center, Broadwind Energy is providing an integral service within the dynamic wind energy value chain, right here in America. This facility is another example of the many jobs and economic benefits the wind industry is bringing to this country.”
Peter C. Duprey, Broadwind Energy president and CEO, commented: “Texas is the wind capital of North America and customers are focused on keeping their turbines running in the most cost-effective manner possible to support domestic clean energy demands. From gearboxes to blades, to operations and maintenance, our dedicated technicians here in our Abilene remanufacturing service center put our unique combination of gearing expertise and service capability to work for customers—every day.”
Bode, Abilene Development Corporation CEO Richard Burdine, and other dignitaries joined Duprey to cut the ribbon, marking the official opening of the 60,000 square foot drivetrain service center.
Said Burdine: “We are excited to continue to bring clean energy jobs to Abilene. Broadwind’s energy expertise is a boon to wind farm developers and operators, and the Abilene area.”
In addition to a full set of gearbox services, Broadwind’s Abilene Wind Turbine Services Center provides blade services and operations and maintenance services to the wind energy industry.
About Broadwind Energy, Inc.
Broadwind Energy (NASDAQ: BWEN) applies decades of deep industrial expertise to innovate integrated solutions for customers in the energy and infrastructure markets. From gears to wind towers, to comprehensive remanufacturing of gearboxes and blades, to operations and maintenance services, and heavy industries, we have solutions for the energy needs of the future. With facilities throughout the U.S., Broadwind Energy's talented team of more than 800 employees is committed to helping customers maximize performance of their investments—quicker, easier and smarter. Find out more at www.bwen.com.
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