TPI to open wind turbine blade center in Massachusetts

August 27, 2010

Wind turbine blade manufacturer TPI Composites is to establish a new research and development center in Massachusetts.

The new 69,000 square foot facility in Fall River, about 40 miles south of Boston, will be used to develop advanced blade manufacturing technology and prototype next-generation blades.

It will have the potential to produce blades for onshore and offshore wind turbines up to 62 meters in length, with a further expansion also in the pipeline.

The center will support TPI’s manufacturing facilities around the world, working closely with a sister plant 10 miles away in Rhode Island, as well as the NREL’s new Wind Technology Testing Center in Charlestown, Massachusetts.

Prototype blades will be shipped by barge to Charlestown for further testing and optimization.

TPI, which has its corporate HQ in Scottsdale, Arizona, is to receive a $250,000 grant from the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center to support the project, a grant contingent on creating at least 30 jobs.

“Outstanding”

Steve Lockard, president and CEO of TPI, said: “The efficient access to the water, proximity to an outstanding work force and support received from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the city made Fall River the ideal place for TPI’s expansion.

“The addition of this facility will position TPI well for the future as the demand for larger, higher-performance wind turbine blades continues to grow,” added Mr Lockard.

TCI, which makes blades for turbine manufacturers including GE Energy and Mitsubishi, said its new facility at the Tillotson Complex is expected to open in early 2011, housing between 30 and 50 staff.

Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, who attended the announcement of the center on Wednesday, said: “With facilities like the Wind Technology Testing Center and companies like TPI, Massachusetts will lead the nation in the next generation of wind energy technology.”