Siemens Energy said it plans to build two wind-service warehousing facilities in Woodward, Okla.
The facilities will house main components, tooling and spare parts for Siemens' wind-service business.
The company expects construction of the facilities to be finished by the end of the year.
With a total of 64,000 square feet, the complex will be Siemens' largest wind-power service distribution center to date in the United States, according to the company.
The location of the distribution complex will provide customers with reduced delivery time and greater parts availability, according to Siemens, and serve as a hub for wind-energy main components and parts, including wind-turbine blades, drive assemblies and generators.
The company expects to create as many as 40 jobs over the next five years at the facility.
"Oklahoma has demonstrated a growing commitment to renewable-energy development and we are delighted to become resident members of the Woodward business community," said Tim Holt, Siemens' CEO for renewables service. "The need for this large distribution facility clearly indicates the wind industry is maturing rapidly, creating new jobs and new development opportunities. Woodward's location in the central region of the U.S. gives us great access to our wind-power customers in that area and allows us to address their distribution needs in a cost-effective and efficient timeframe."
In Oklahoma, Siemens has supplied wind turbines to Oklahoma Gas & Electric, the University of Oklahoma and CPV Renewable Energy Co.
Wind Power Taking Off
Siemens has grown its wind-power business from one employee in 2005 to more than 1,500 employees today, including 450 service employees, according to the company.
Over the next three years, Siemens expects to grow its wind-service workforce by more than 1,500 people.
Siemens boasts that it is the No. 2 wind-energy provider in the United States in terms of installed capacity. There are more than 4,600 Siemens wind turbines installed or on order in North America, according to the company.
The Woodward facility is the ninth expansion related to Siemens' wind-power business in the United States.
Others include the company's recently opened nacelle assembly plant in Hutchinson, Kan.; a wind-turbine blade manufacturing facility in Fort Madison, Iowa; a service center in Houston; an R&D center in Boulder, Colo.; two gearbox factories in Elgin, Ill.; an offshore office in Boston; and the company's Americas headquarters in Orlando, Fla.
