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Hundreds of jobs for New Orleans in wind factory plan

Investors including American Superconductor Company are staking millions on predictions that wind turbines will get bigger and bigger

British wind turbine blade technology developer Blade Dynamics looks set to establish a new manufacturing facility in New Orleans.

The firm has been awarded $30 million in incentives from Louisiana Economic Development, contingent on raising $13 million for the project and meeting job creation targets.

The new facility is to be located at NASA’s Michoud Assembly Facility in eastern New Orleans, and is expected to create 600 new jobs by 2015, averaging a $48,000 salary.

As well as incentives, Louisiana Economic Development is set to provide help with training and recruitment for the first two years of the project.

State Governor Bobby Jindal said the project was a “huge win” for both New Orleans and the state of Louisiana.

Gov Jindal said: “Renewable energy and green manufacturing is one of our target growth industries that will help to diversify our economy, attract more businesses to Louisiana and, most importantly, create more jobs for our people so they can find the same kinds of opportunities here that historically they have had to pursue in places like Dallas, Houston or Atlanta.”

The 832-acre Michoud Assembly Facility site is one of the largest manufacturing campuses in the world, where NASA and Lockheed Martin have produced components for the Space Shuttle for 30 years.

It is now home to a number of businesses and agencies alongside its NASA activities.

Founded in 2007, Blade Dynamics is working on wind turbine blade technology that could mean blades up to 264 feet long, which would be tough enough to withstand the kind of weather extremes seen in offshore locations.

Investors

As the incentives for the Louisiana plant were announced yesterday, it was also revealed that Massachusetts firm American Superconductor Company (AMSC) has invested $8 million for a 25% stake in Blade Dynamics.

A minority investment was also made by the Dow Chemical Company.

AMSC believes Blade Dynamics could be important in contributing to development of its 10MW offshore wind turbine, the SeaTitan.

AMSC founder and Chief Executive Officer Greg Yurek said his company’s investment was a “compelling” move as both onshore and offshore wind turbines get ever larger.

Mr Yurek said: “Blade Dynamics presents us – and the entire wind industry – with a game-changing wind turbine blade technology that enhances performance and reduces weight and cost for high power wind turbines.”

The AMSC CEO suggested many wind turbine manufacturers would move toward the kind of technology offered by Blade Dynamics, including AMSC licensees.