Michigan begins large-scale wind turbine manufacturing

December 8, 2010

Officials in Michigan celebrated yesterday the approval of a power purchase agreement that will see the first large-scale production of utility-scale wind turbines fully made in the state.

Northern Power Systems is set to employ up to 137 workers by 2014 at its facility in Saginaw, Michigan, supplying turbines for Heritage Sustainable Energy’s Heritage Garden wind farm in the Garden Peninsula, Delta Count.

The wind farm will use the Northern Power 2.2 wind turbine, a direct drive turbine that does not require a gearbox.

The manufacturer’s strategic supplier, Merrill Technologies Group, is another Michigan firm that will also be involved. About 80 direct and indirect jobs are set to be created to support development, installation and operations for the wind farm.

Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said: “Development of the wind energy sector is a key piece of Michigan’s strategy to diversify our economy and create clean energy jobs. The agreement announced today helps to solidify the state’s emerging leadership in this industry.”

Power

Traverse City-based Heritage Sustainable Energy is to sell power from the 28.6MW wind farm to Lansing-based utility Consumers Energy under a contract approved by the Michigan Public Service Commission last month.

The Commission also approved a contract for a second wind farm, 12.3MW Heritage Stoney Corners II, which is set to be built in Missaukee and Osceola counties.

“We now have an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) planning to produce a significant number of top-of-the-line, utility-scale turbines right here in Michigan,” said Andrew S. Levin, Acting Director of the Michigan Department of Energy, Labor & Economic Growth.

“This deal is packed full of potential jobs – manufacturing jobs, construction jobs, technician jobs – and it will help reduce our reliance on foreign oil.”