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Made in the USA is back. Nordex USA, Inc., one of the world’s leading manufacturers of wind turbines, has just announced that it will build a manufacturing plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas. The plant is expected to begin producing turbines in 2010 and create approximately 600 jobs. With a typical wind turbine requiring about 8,000 components, that could mean a ripple effect in related jobs in the supply chain.
Sustainable Wind Power Means More Local Manufacturing
Germany-based Nordex announced its intention to build wind turbines in the U.S. last year. Local sourcing makes sense for wind turbine production, because of the high number of components needed to manufacture them. The main components are bulky, so transportation can add a huge chunk to the cost of installing wind power. Local sourcing of production cuts into that cost. Nordex is not alone in targeting local manufacturing. In addition to wind power, solar companies such as Stirling Energy Systems are beginning to turn to U.S. manufacturing for sustainable energy sourcing.
U.S.A. a Top Market for Wind Power
Because of its wide open, sparsely populated spaces, the U.S. has much more potential to tap wind power than Europe. Just one example is the massive new wind farm built by E.ON Climate and Renewables in Roscoe, Texas. According to Nordex USA, the U.S. could well be the world’s biggest wind market as early as next year. That means more sustainable power – and more jobs.
Image: zedzap on flickr.com.
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