Vestas said it would start producing nacelles, which contain the key components of the wind turbine including the gearbox and generator, and hubs in Tianjin, alongside its established blade manufacturing facility.

Vestas previously established a nacelle manufacturing facility in northwest Tasmania to assist with its commitments to wind energy projects such as Roaring 40s’ Woolnorth Studland Bay Wind Farm.

Roaring 40s was established as a joint venture between China Light and Power and Tasmanian Hydro. The company has already been contracted to build a 50MW wind in the Jilin province, near the Inner Mongolian border and north of Tianjin.

Vestas said the new production facility would play an important role in its growth in China and abroad.

“The location has been chosen on the basis of the good access opportunities to port, rail and major roads in China and is therefore well suited to Vestas’ strategy for the region,” said Vestas Nacelles president Søren Husted.

“Together with other activities in China, among others the establishment of a purchasing office in Shanghai, the factory will also contribute to increasing the global sourcing in Vestas.”

To achieve compliance with Chinese regulations, 70% of the value of a turbine must be produced locally.

Vestas said it would fast-track the construction of the facility, investing around $A30 million in the project.

The factory is expected to start manufacturing nacelles for Vestas’ V80-2.0MW turbines in the first half of 2007, with an annual production capacity of approximately 350 nacelles and hubs.