GE Vernova Invests $50 Million To Develop 6.1 MW Turbines

As wind energy progresses in North America, GE Vernova is going to invest $50 million at its Schenectady facility in New York as the site will assemble three key components for GE Vernova’s 6.1 MW turbine. 

In addition, GE Vernova said it would hire 200 new skilled union operators, manufacturing engineers, and front-line leadership to establish the new assembly line for its onshore wind business.

The new facility will be in the building where GE Vernova manufactures steam turbines and generators. It will be completed by summer 2023, with the first set of components of the turbine model produced by early fall.

GE Vernova will assemble critical components for 6.1-158 onshore wind turbines in Schenectady. It will include the machine head, hub and drive train to help meet demand in the US.

The turbine is designed for low-to-medium wind speeds and is equipped with an innovative carbon two-piece blade design, offering improved logistics and increased output from hard-to-reach sites.

GE Vernova said that the Inflation Reduction Act had played an important role in this announcement, revitalizing the market, increasing demand for renewable energy and enabling energy security and competitiveness. New York State will also provide up to $2.5 million through Empire State Development’s Excelsior Jobs Program.

Scott Strazik, CEO, GE Vernova, said “We’re proud to expand our American manufacturing footprint and workforce to continue building and innovating energy technology that is cleaner by bringing wind turbine component assembly—and an estimated 200 new jobs—to New York.”

GE Vernova has received nearly 10 GW of orders and amassed more than 4 million operating hours globally for this turbine platform. In addition, the Onshore Wind business has been the number one provider of onshore wind turbines in the United States for the last five years, according to the American Clean Power Association, and currently has a fleet of more than 54,000 wind turbines installed worldwide.

The Firm In the US

GE has a 130-year presence in New York state, home to GE Vernova’s Gas Power and Onshore Wind businesses and the company’s Global Research Center. To date, GE has invested $450 million into the US facilities announced earlier this year.

GE Vernova, the company’s portfolio of energy businesses, is planned for a tax-free investment-grade spin-off from GE in early 2024. The portfolio includes Renewable Energy, Power, Digital and Energy Financial Services.