West Branch Turbine Production
Plant Opens

January 20, 2008

With the state’s governor and other dignitaries joining the celebration in West Branch, Iowa, developer and turbine manufacturer Acciona marked the opening of its first U.S. wind turbine production plant on January 17.

The $23 million project was constructed in seven months. The plant will provide more than 100 new jobs and will produce 200 wind turbines in 2008, with plans to increase to 400 turbines per year in the future. The facility will supply turbines primarily for Acciona Energy wind farms throughout North America and will utilize proprietary technology from its wind turbine manufacturing subsidiary, Acciona Windpower, to produce its AWP 1.5-77 models.

Joining company executives and guests for the facility’s official dedication were Iowa Governor Chet Culver (D), West Branch Mayor Sandy Hatfield, and University of Iowa President Sally Mason. Senior executives from Acciona’s management team in Spain joined the festivities to commemorate the company milestone.

Acciona also announced a $15,000 gift to the city of West Branch in recognition of its support for the project. The money will go toward the city’s downtown enhancement effort. The Acciona project was aided by the Iowa Department of Economic Development, City of West Branch, Iowa City Area Development Group, and Cedar County Economic Development Commission.

Acciona’s West Branch plant will increase the company’s total production capacity to 2,280 MW a year.