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First Canadian-built wind turbines go to US market
July 07, 2008
Construction begins on the site of AAER’s first turbine sold in the United States
Dave Gagnon, President and CEO of AAER inc. (“AAER”) was one person enjoying good fortune on Friday, June 13th. In the town of Portsmouth, Rhode Island, sharing the company of dignitaries from the Portsmouth town council and the state’s energy department, he was there for a ground-breaking ceremony at the future site of the first AAER turbine sold to a client in the United States.
On April 16, AAER announced an agreement between Wind-Smart LLC, a subsidiary of AAER USA, and the Town of Portsmouth for the purchase of a 1.5 MW A-1500 wind turbine, a machine with an average capacity to power approximately 400 homes. Delivery of the turbine is scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2008. The project is worth approximately US $3 million, including construction and start-up costs. In addition, a 10-year contract was signed, with an option to renew, for maintenance of the turbine.
The current worldwide shortage of high-powered wind turbines provides an opportunity for AAER to supply community-based electricity generation projects. “AAER is the only Canadian manufacturer of high-powered wind turbines. We believe that our proximity to the US market, will allow us to develop solid, long-term relationships, such as the one with Portsmouth,” Gagnon said. “In the short term, we should be launching more projects on American soil, including ones previously announced with the United States Marine Corps, in Barstow, and the Windland Project, in Tehachapi, California.”
http://www.AAER.ca
