Nordex Group and local company FAdeA have celebrated the official opening of a 500MW a year factory in Cordoba, Argentina, producing nacelles and assembling hubs.
The two companies signed an agreement in December last year for the construction of a local assembly line.
Production started in mid-April and the first AW132/3300 nacelles for AES Generacion projects have already left the production line.
“This factory positions the Nordex Group as a local supplier in a booming wind market with good wind conditions,” Nordex said.
The German company is also setting up three local production plants for concrete towers, through subcontractors.
“This allows the Nordex Group to supply wind turbines, which qualify as fully local, entitling its clients to significant tax benefits, and thus reducing the cost of energy,” it said.
The Cordoba plant will employ up to 100 people, with a further 200 employees in each of the concrete tower plants.
Nordex chief executive Jose Luis Blanco said: “As an international company, local-level manufacturing close to our sales regions is an essential element of our expansion strategy.
“To date, we have had great success in Argentina, as shown by orders for more than 600 MW in the last two years.
“Argentina has some of the best wind resources in the world and it is well positioned to become a major wind power market.
“Wind turbines within the multi-megawatt range, in which this plant has specialised, will play a key role in this surge.”
FAdeA president Antonio Beltramone said: “This plant is a new proof that transparency, commitment and teamwork can reverse the worst case scenarios.
“Only eight months ago, this place was an abandoned scrap heap. Thanks to the confidence of Nordex and the support of many people, we have now a plant with the latest technology.”
“Today FAdeA offers the greatest diversity of services in its history, it has never had such diverse list of capabilities.
“Having in FAdeA the first production plant for wind energy of Cordoba is an honour. Once again FAdeA is a vital source for industrial prosperity.”