Mesalands Community College in Tucumcari, N.M., has awarded a bid to construct the North American Wind Research and Training Center (NAWRTC) to Gerald Martin Construction of Albuquerque, N.M. The proposed center will provide facilities for training qualified individuals in wind energy technology.
Establishment of NAWRTC began in October 2008 with the installation of a 1.5 MW wind turbine at Mesalands to give students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the operation and maintenance of wind turbines.
Construction of the training center is the next phase in developing the wind energy technology program at the college. Mesalands, through NAWRTC, also expects to conduct research related to operations maintenance and reliability with Sandia National Laboratories.
Gerald Martin was chosen based on criteria involving references, experience, proposed construction time, as well as the cost of construction. Gerald Martin's bid was for $5.2 million. The funds were made available from a $7 million bond Mesalands received from New Mexico general obligation bond legislation in November 2008. The remaining funds will be used for equipment and furniture.
The proposed training center is approximately 30,000 square feet and will contain a display area, lecture hall, classrooms, offices, and hydraulic and electric labs. Construction is expected to be complete in November 2010.
SOURCE: Mesalands Community College
