Enercon to build wind turbines factory in Ontario

Enercon will bring wind turbines manufacturing to Niagara Region. Niagara Region Wind Corporation has selected ENERCON to supply and maintain 230 MW of wind turbines for its Niagara Region Wind Power Project. Enercon will provide 77, E-101 3MW wind turbines to the wind farm.

A key component of this agreement is ENERCON’s commitment to build a wind energy manufacturing facility in the Niagara Region. The two companies have signed a contract wherein ENERCON will supply and maintain 77 3.0 MW wind turbines (model E-101, 3.0MW) for the project. This contract will allow NRWC to fulfill its domestic content requirements, as required by the Ontario Power Authority.

The Niagara Region Wind Corporation received a Feed-in-Tariff contract in February 2011 for its 230 MW proposed project in Pelham, West Lincoln and Wainfleet in Niagara Region, as well as part of Haldimand County.

To meet the demands of this order and to be available to service other Ontario demands, ENERCON will open a converter and control panel factory in the Niagara Region, servicing both the wind and solar industries. Due to the high demand of ENERCON wind turbines a concrete tower manufacturing site will also be established in the Region. "Niagara Region Wind Corporation has selected ENERCON because of its strong technical experience, innovative technology, and trusted track record of success in renewable energy. ENERCON’s decision to locate a manufacturing facility demonstrates our collective commitment to the Niagara community," stated Robert Daniels, Principal, Niagara Region Wind Corporation.

"The Niagara area offers a strategic location for the logistics and supply chain of various components for our projects in Ontario and across Canada," said ENERCON Canada’s Executive Vice President Michael Weidemann. "The factory would be the first of its kind in the North American market and for ENERCON outside of its home market of Germany," he continued.

"This renewable energy manufacturing project will bring a significant number of high value jobs to Niagara at a time when our economy is in recovery", said Regional Chair Gary Burroughs. "Today’s announcement of ENERCON locating in Niagara will provide a significant economic boost, while strengthening Niagara’s position as a leader in renewable energy in North America".

"The Niagara Economic Development Corporation (NEDC) has been working with both the Niagara Region Wind Corporation and ENERCON for the past two years and is delighted with this announcement. We look forward to continuing to work closely with ENERCON to assist them in establishing their manufacturing facility", said Alan Teichroeb, Acting CEO, NEDC. "This is good news for Niagara in terms of both the direct jobs that will be created and also additional jobs that will be created through supply chain opportunities".

By José santamarta, www.evwind.com