Praise for offshore wind initiative from Newport News ally

Gamesa Technology Corp. praised steps announced yesterday by Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Interior Secretary Ken Salazar to speed development of wind energy off the U.S. East Coast.

Gamesa has an alliance with the Newport News Shipbuilding operation of Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding to cooperate on the design, development, site selection, permitting, installation and testing of Gamesa’s G11X -5.0 MW offshore prototype wind turbine in the United States.

On Thursday, Gamesa and Northrop Grumman Shipbuilding, will stage the official opening of the Gamesa Offshore Wind Technology Center in Chesapeake, Va. The two companies formed the center to develop the next generation of offshore wind systems that will be deployed in the United States and around the world.

Yesterday, Dirk Matthys, Chairman and CEO of Gamesa North America, called the steps announced by Secretary Chu and Secretary Salazar “significant and important actions.”

“This is good news for businesses and families on the East Coast and elsewhere in the U.S. who stand to benefit from the development of this major source of sustainable energy,” said Mr. Matthys.

With more than 15 years’ experience, Gamesa is a world leader in the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of wind turbines, with more than 19,000 megawatts installed in 26 countries on four continents.

February 8, 2010