Acciona Windpower's West Branch plant in production
By David DeWitte
The Gazette
WEST BRANCH — Iowa Gov. Chet Culver got a look at Acciona Windpower's first American-made wind turbine and an invitation to the running of the bulls in Pamplona, Spain, here Thursday.The Gazette
The new wind turbine plant turned out its first AW-1500 wind turbine last month, less than seven months after work on the company's first North American factory here began.
At a dedication ceremony Thursday, Acciona Windpower Director General Pedro Ruiz said the plant's ability to meet its rapid startup timetable "gives us great confidence for the future."
Ruiz also discussed the company's plans for a second round of investment in the plant after it reaches full production. The company plans to use the 36-acre West Branch site to begin assembling its larger 3-megawatt AW-3000 wind turbines that are now under development. A timetable for launching the product has not been announced.
The plant is the fourth worldwide production facility for Acciona Windpower, a division of Pamplona, Spain-based Acciona Energy. It is scheduled to turn out 200 turbines in 2008, and 400 units at full capacity.
The United States is a hot market for wind power. The American Wind Energy Association said total wind generation capacity in the country increased by a record 45 percent in 2007.
Acciona's parent company has become part of that boom. It recently completed its largest wind development, the 180-megawatt Tatonka wind project on the border of North Dakota and South Dakota. Acciona also has launched Nevada Solar One, a 64-megawatt solar thermal power plant that is the largest built worldwide in 17 years, Culver and University of Iowa President Sally Mason praised the company as a leader in the renewable energy industry that will help provide economic growth while addressing the issues of climate change and depletion of fossil fuels. Culver has made energy independence for Iowa one of his major goals, and Mason described the UI's goal of both reducing energy consumption by 10 percent and obtaining 15 percent of its energy from renewable sources by 2015.
Acciona Windpower invested $23 million to acquire the former Sauer-Danfoss hydraulics plant and expand it by 100,000 square feet to assemble wind turbines. The main features visible in the plant are huge 65-ton and 190-ton overhead cranes.
The facility employs 60, a number expected to gradually increase 110.
Culver traveled to Pamplona and Madrid several months ago to meet with Acciona leaders and try to interest the company's suppliers in establishing production in Iowa. Ruiz and others from Acciona were to dine Thursday night at the University of Iowa president's mansion.
Ruiz praised Culver's vision for his vision of a renewable energy economy and invited him back to Spain. "The next time, you promise that you will come for the running of the bulls," he insisted.
Plant Manager Scott Mahr said erecting the first turbine produced in West Branch outside the plant has been discussed, but no decision has been made. Shipping the enormous turbines from the plant is currently difficult because of a tight interchange curve linking it to I-80. The state plans to widen the curve in the spring. Acciona is studying interim measures to allow shipping to begin earlier.
Acciona presented a $15,000 check to the City of West Branch as a gesture of thanks.
No comments:
Post a Comment