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GE Sees Strong Growth in European Wind Activities HAMBURG, GERMANY (May 11, 2004) — GE Energy continues to expand its geographical reach as well as its technology and support services for the growing European wind industry, the company reported today at the WindEnergy International Trade Fair being held this week in Hamburg, Germany. "Accounting for three-quarters of global installed wind capacity and annual growth rates of more than 35% over the last decade, Europe continues to offer significant opportunities," said Steve Zwolinski, CEO of GE Energy's global wind operations. "To better serve our global customers, GE is continually developing new technology and adding to our portfolio of products and services." Since entering the global wind industry two years ago, GE Energy has entered seven new markets in Europe, which include its first announcements for installations in the UK, Ireland, Norway, Portugal, France, and Italy. In the new offshore market, GE entered with the first installation of technology over 3 MW specifically designed for offshore use. GE supports the growth of its European business through its manufacturing and assembly facilities located in Germany and Spain. GE's wind segment also doubled its wind-engineering workforce since it entered the wind industry - this increase was particularly recognized in Salzbergen, the company's engineering headquarters where the majority of the engineering positions were added. The company also quadrupled its research and development engineering support to the wind segment, and initiated more than 100 new wind energy technology projects. GE Energy employs 1,700 people in its worldwide wind energy operations, including 700 in Germany. The company maintains a manufacturing facility, and recently opened a dedicated customer support center in the Salzbergen area to serve the needs of its growing European customer base. GE's European wind operations will also soon be supported by a GE Global Research Center scheduled to open this summer in Munich. Developing technology to further increase the reliability and performance of wind turbines will be one of the central missions of this new facility. Recently announced wind projects featuring GE wind turbines manufactured in Europe include: • Cefn Croes Wind Project in mid-Wales, the largest wind project in the U.K., where 39 of GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines will be installed. Recently acquired by Falck Renewables Limited, the project was co-developed by Renewable Development Company of Wales and GE Energy. • Two projects in France, La Haute Lys and Sortosville-Les Beaumont. The first project, involving four wind farms, will utilize 25 of GE's 1.5-megawatt machines and is one of the first large French installations of wind turbines. The second project will feature five of GE's 1.5-megawatt wind turbines. About GE Energy GE Energy (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technology, with 2003 revenues of nearly $18.5 billion. Based in Atlanta, Georgia, GE Energy provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, transmission and distribution, distributed power and energy rental industries. With wind turbine design, manufacturing and/or assembly facilities located in Germany, Spain, India, China and the United States, GE Energy's current product portfolio includes wind turbines with rated outputs ranging from 1,500 to 3,600 kilowatts, and support services ranging from project development assistance to operation and maintenance. The company has developed and/or installed more than 6,600 wind turbines with a total capacity exceeding 4,700 megawatts. For more information, contact: Dennis Murphy GE Energy +1 678 844 6948 dennis.murphy@ps.ge.com Ken Darling or Howard Masto Masto Public Relations +1 518 786 6488 kenneth.darling@ps.ge.com howard.masto@ps.ge.com > Press Contacts > More 2004 Press Releases |