Wind(y) news blows in from South America, Fort Smith
by October 7, 2010 6:47 am 81 views
Wind power is back in the Arkansas business news cycle.
A day before Mitsubishi Power Systems breaks ground on a $100 million wind turbine assembly plant a Chaffee Crossing (Fort Smith), it was learned that LM Wind Power will expand its operations into South America.
LM Wind Power, the Danish wind energy manufacturer that set up shop in Arkansas three years ago, recently announced plans to expand its manufacturing base in the Americas through the construction of a new blade manufacturing facility in Brazil. The facility will deliver blades to wind turbines in Brazil and throughout South America, according to this report from Talk Business.
Arkansas is LM’s North American center for operations and it has additional facilities in North Dakota and Canada. The new search in Brazil will likely establish a major footprint for the company in the southern hemisphere.
The new facility in Brazil will be based on LM Wind Power’s modular factory concept recently used for construction of its facilities in the United States, Poland, Spain and China and will employ up to 300 people. It is expected that blade production could commence in early 2012.
On another wind energy note, Nordex has started operations in Jonesboro two years after announcing plans to build in the region. The German wind turbine parts manufacturer has invested about $40 million in the northeast Arkansas plant and hired 42 workers.
A groundbreaking at Chaffee Crossing for the Mitsubishi plant is scheduled for 3 p.m., Oct. 7. Gov. Mike Beebe is expected to attend. (Watch The City Wire on Thursday evening for the story and photos of the event.)
Mitsubishi Power Systems Americas (MPSA) announced Oct. 16 plans to build a $100 million, 200,000-square foot wind turbine manufacturing plant on 90 acres at Fort Chaffee. The plant could employ up to 400 once fully operational. Company officials said construction will start in the fourth quarter of 2010 and be complete by the fourth quarter of 2011. Mitsubishi officials expect full production and 400 jobs in place by the first quarter of 2012.