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In The News
August 25, 2009
EXCITING NEW SURVEY: The Wind Supply Chain in Kansas

Working together, the Kansas Department of Commerce, American Wind Energy Association, Blue/Green Alliance, the Advanced Manufacturing Institute at K-State and CEP have partnered on an extensive wind supply chain survey covering small, mid and large wind.

Last spring CEP publicized the Renewable Energy Policy Project (REPP) report. The report concluded that a national renewable energy program would provide significant benefits to Kansas manufacturing - generating $1.97 billion in investment, spurring innovation in 425 existing Kansas manufacturing firms, and creating 11,491 new jobs.

However, it became apparent that still more research was needed to help Kansas manufacturers enter the wind energy supply chain. When Siemens announced that it would be constructing a $50 million, 300,000 sq. ft. nacelle manufacturing facility in Hutchinson, KS and employing 400 workers, Kansas manufacturers also started to grasp the potential.

Thus the idea of the wind supply chain survey was born. The information gathered will help KDOC facilitate the ongoing development of the Kansas wind industry. The survey will try to determine:

- Which Kansas manufacturers are currently supplying the wind industry, and at what capacity

- Their interest in future supply activities

- Type of workforce training manufacturers would like access to

- Type of assistance companies need to retool facilities for wind production.

How the survey will work: Kansas manufacturers who have expressed an interest in supplying wind energy components to Siemens (as well as those manufacturers who meet the NAICS codes identified in the REPP report) will receive a letter from the KDOC directing them to www.kansaswindindustry.com.

Here you will find a wind industry overview and a list of resources and events, plus access to the online survey. Bookmark this website, as it will provide future updates on supply chain events and opportunities for Kansas manufacturers.

Kansas manufacturers participating in the survey receive many benefits, including:
  • Their name will appear in the final copy of the survey report, which will be distributed to members of the wind industry (including Siemens’ North American supply chain team).
  • One-year listing in AWEA's national online business directory for the wind energy industry (currently under development).
  • Accurate representation of your company’s involvement in the wind industry.
  • Opportunity to identify your market entry needs and connect with potential resources that can assist in fulfilling those stated needs.
According to AWEA, the U.S. wind energy industry is ramping up to provide 20% of the country’s electricity needs. In order to reach that level of production by 2030, the industry would have to more than double from 2008’s manufacturing and installation base of 8,300 megawatts per year. Over 70,000 new turbines would have to be installed in the coming decades.

This aggressive growth trend places a large demand on the current wind supply chain for parts, equipment and labor. The result is tremendous opportunity for new manufacturers. There is also increasing demand for wind service industries, such as construction, transportation, legal, financial, safety, and operations and maintenance.

Kansas companies are poised to become major component manufacturers for this growing industry.
Contact Name: Dorothy Barnett
Contact Email: barnett@climateandenergy.org
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Approximately two-thirds of the world’s population (along with critical infrastructure such as transportation routes, energy processing facilities, and major urban centers) are located near coastlines. All face significant threats from sea level rise.
CNA, “National Security and the Threat of Climate Change,” http://securityandclimate.cna.org/
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