GE Vernova has completed the production of the first onshore wind turbine produced on its new assembly line in Schenectady, New York.
The factory makes and assembles GE Vernova’s 6.1-158 onshore wind turbine.
With tip heights reaching almost 200 metres the unit is the largest onshore turbine ever to be manufactured in the US, GE said.
The expansion of the GE facility, which was first announced in May 2023, was enabled by the increase in market demand for renewable energy created by the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
The IRA also provides tax credits for manufacturers who produce nacelle components in the US and to projects that meet domestic content requirements, provisions that will support the $50m investment GE made in the new facility.
New York State has also agreed to provide up to $2.5m through Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Program.
Scott Strazik, CEO of GE Vernova, said, “The production of the first onshore wind turbine components ever manufactured and assembled in Schenectady marks an exciting milestone in our history books.
“At GE Vernova, we’re leveraging more than 130 years of GE’s history to lead a new era of energy, and we will continue to work closely with our customers to bring more renewable energy online and help accelerate the energy transition.”
As the facility completes its ramp up, 200 skilled employees will manufacture and assemble components for over 100 units of GE Vernova’s workhorse 6MW onshore turbine next year alone.
The new manufacturing assembly line is in the same building where GE Vernova continues to manufacture steam turbines and generators for its gas business, “leveraging skillsets and learnings across businesses”.
The company assembles wind turbine components for its other workhorse onshore wind turbine, the 3MW platform, at a facility in Pensacola, Florida.