Quebec Deputy Premier and Minister of Natural Resources and Wildlife Nathalie Normandeau, along with New Richmond, Quebec, Mayor Nicole Appleby, has officially inaugurated the city's equipment production for converters destined for REpower Systems AG wind turbines.
The Woodward-designed converter components and cabinet assemblies will be produced as part of a collaboration between Woodward and Eaton Corp.
The regional production of wind turbine components, such as electrical converters and related equipment, was a condition set by Hydro-Quebec in its call for tenders for the installation of 2,000 MW of wind energy.
In accordance with these tender conditions, REpower will create at least 30% of added value in Quebec. The company will deliver its turbines to five Quebec wind farms for a total of 954 MW of installed power.
Two prototype units have been built at the site and are currently in the Woodward facility in Loveland, Colo., where the alignment of the assembly will be verified and test processes between the two facilities executed.
The New Richmond plant is currently building pre-production units, which will be evaluated for assembly and wiring processes, quality checked and used for verification of test procedures. Eaton will continue to build these units throughout July and into August. Shipment of the first units is expected to begin this fall to meet the turbine assembly schedules.
