North American Windpower: AWEA, German Engineering Federation Form Pact To Strengthen U.S. Wind Energy Supply Chain

by NAW Staff on Wednesday 06 June 2012

The American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) and the German Engineering Federation (VDMA Power Systems) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) that aims to strengthen the development of the U.S. wind energy supply chain.

Under the MOU, the organizations have agreed to do the following:

Support the development of the North American wind energy manufacturing supply chain;
Provide wind energy market information to manufacturers looking to transition into the North American wind energy market;
Equip the North American wind energy industry with the manufacturing and supply-chain knowledge of the VDMA in order to effectively produce products and innovate for the future;
Connect manufacturers' capabilities and expertise with wind energy industry manufacturing needs; and
Support industry events that are in the strategic interest of AWEA and VDMA members.

"Wind energy is one of the most important renewable energies in the worldwide future energy mix," says Thorsten Herdan, managing director of VDMA Power Systems. "Therefore, an exchange of view between the leading wind nations, such as the USA and Germany, concerning the further development of the markets, the technologies and the necessary industrialization of this branch is of utmost importance.

“We are looking forward to an intensified dialogue between manufacturers and suppliers of both countries and are confident that both sides will benefit from this intensive exchange of views,” he adds.

The VDMA represents over 3,100 member companies and is the largest network in Europe for the engineering industry. The organization covers the entire value chain of the industry, from plant manufacturers to component suppliers.

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