Vestas is celebrating its $40m investment in two factories in Colorado, which will create up to 1000 clean energy jobs.
To mark the investment in the Brighton Nacelles and Windsor Blades factories in the US state Vestas hosted an event with Governor Jared Polis, American Clean Power Association (ACP) and Xcel Energy.
The investment will provide the infrastructure needed to manufacture Vestas’ newest turbine for the US market, the V163-4.5MW model.
Optimised for low to medium wind speeds, the V163-4.5MW machine is designed for the US market to maximize annual energy production and accelerate the clean energy transition.
It was recently announced that Vestas will be supplying 94 V163-4.5 MW turbines for a 423MW project, all of which will be manufactured and supplied by its factories within Colorado.
“This major investment not only demonstrates our commitment to Colorado but also our commitment to expanding clean energy across the United States,” said President of Vestas Americas Laura Beane.
“Our vision of expanding our major, local manufacturing hub and bringing economic growth to the region is becoming a reality as we deliver the next generation wind turbine for the US market,” she added.
“We applaud the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act which has helped expand the domestic supply chain and breathe new life into the renewable energy industry.”
In addition to hiring 800-1000 local employees to support the manufacturing efforts at both the blades and nacelle factories, Vestas plans to work with local high schools to educate students on clean energy jobs as part of its apprenticeship programme.
“Colorado proudly leads the nation with nearly 30% of our energy coming from wind production, and we’ve come this far by making bold investments in the clean energy sector with partners like Vestas,” said Colorado Governor Jared Polis, Democratic Party.
Vestas first opened factory doors in the state in 2007.
With 1.4GW of Vestas wind turbines operating across the state, Vestas spent more than $465m across 182 local suppliers and the expansion of its manufacturing facilities in combination with its current operations will continue to create local construction jobs and bring increased opportunities to the area.