GE to acquire WMC test facilities in Netherlands

LM Wind Power, owned by GE Renewable Energy Business, is set to acquire the WMC test facilities in Wieringerwerf, Netherlands, for an undisclosed sum.

The facility will test rotor hubs for new GE turbines, and will also offer blade testing services, digital tools, research, and similar services to other wind industry partners within and beyond the country.

WMC board chairman Aart van der Pal said: “The acquisition of the WMC wind turbine blade test facility in Wieringerwerf secures a promising future for the 23 employees and ensures growth and opportunity for this important Dutch facility.

“We look forward to playing a key role in the future developments of advanced wind turbine rotor blades.”

LM Wind Power, which was acquired by GE in April last year, plans to expand and develop the facility over time.

The company is growing its manufacturing footprint in the Netherlands with its management office at World Trade Center, Schiphol, Amsterdam. Additionally, it has a research facility in Heerhugowaard.

LM Wind Power CEO Duncan Berry said: “The new test facilities will further contribute to LM Wind Power’s research and development capabilities for the design and manufacture of advanced wind turbine blades and other components.

“We are delighted to retain the talented existing workforce and supplement LM Wind Power and GE’s growing presence in a strategic green industry in the Netherlands.”

The completion of the transaction is subject to pre-completion conditions and is anticipated within a period of few weeks.

LM Wind Power, which designs and manufactures rotor blades for wind turbines, has produced more than 205,000 blades since 1978.