LM Wind Power creating new wind research, engineering center in Louisiana

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A new technology center is coming to NASA Michoud campus near New Orleans, La., as part of an LM Wind Power facility designed to address future engineering needs.

LM Wind Power is a unit of GE Renewable Energy. Their current plan is to focus on wind turbine research toward lighter and more cost-effective blades. In so doing, their technical and logistical needs could bring in as many as 100 new employees by 2021. They currently employ 50 at the New Orleans facility, and for the expansion, they intend to work with local universities and community colleges on training programs.

“With energy and advanced manufacturing representing two of Louisiana’s key industries, the launch of LM Wind Power’s Technology Center for the Americas in New Orleans is a perfect fit for our state,” Gov. John Bel Edwards said. “GE and LM Wind Power have already seen the benefits of working on the Michoud Assembly Facility campus, and their commitment to create 100 new jobs reflects well on our state’s workforce and infrastructure. As wind energy supplies an increasing portion of our power needs, we can take pride in Louisiana’s contributions to this vital industry.”

The new facility will help support an industry that the American Wind Energy Association estimates is now seeing an almost 40 percent increase over last year. Nearly 90,000 megawatts (MW) of wind power are currently generated by wind turbines in the United States, with another 33,449 MW under development.