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Scots company to supply wind turbines in US
22/09/2008
A Scottish company has entered into an agreement to provide hi-tech components for hundreds of wind turbines in America.
On a visit to the United States, Enterprise Minister Jim Mather said that Glasgow-based Macom would be supplying hundreds of 'TechAlert 10' sensors to the fast-growing wind turbine manufacturer and developer Clipper Windpower, to monitor performance of wind turbines that will be deployed in the USA over the coming two years.
Mr Mather said that as well as leading the way in becoming a global force in the use of green energy, Scottish companies were also developing the technology to put them at the forefront of efforts to tackle climate change.
After meeting with representatives from Clipper, Mr Mather said:
"With the natural resources at our disposal, Scotland leads the way in embracing a future of green, renewable energy. 
"As well as Scotland winning the renewable energy lottery, many of our companies are ideally placed to drive forward innovation and take their products to the world market - boosting the Scottish economy and helping address climate change right around the globe.
"The Scottish Government and its agencies take every opportunity to promote Scottish innovation and expertise to potential partners around the world.
"Scottish Development International have developed very positive relationships with both companies, and I met with Clipper just last year, so I am delighted when agreements like this one between Macom in Glasgow and international companies like Clipper reach such a positive outcome."
Jim Dehlsen of Clipper Windpower said:
"Our aim is to draw on the most advanced technology available as exemplified with the Macom sensors for our Liberty turbines.
"We see further opportunities to develop Clipper's business relationships with other Scottish companies, which may also lead to a greater Clipper presence in Scotland.
"Scotland's leadership in driving forward technologies in support of wind energy's global expansion offers the potential of increased Scotish economic development, including new supply opportunities and associated jobs.
"The EU's target alone, which aims to attain at least 15% of the UK's electricity needs from renewable sources by 2020 will provide a continued increase in the need for wind energy related materials and components over the coming decade and beyond."
Macom's director Ashraf Mabrouk said:
"The deal helps establish Macom as a prime player in the wind energy sector as suppliers of specialised but critically-important wear debris - condition monitoring equipment.
"Our application can be used to monitor debris damage within any machinery with rotating components that uses an oil cooling system and has proven exceptionally suited to wind turbines because of the extraordinary stresses they come under, the remoteness of their locations and the cost of repair.
"Allowing technicians to monitor gearbox wear and tear and programme in servicing and repairs before any terminal damage is done, will greatly optimise a turbine's efficiency and therefore the overall output and return on investment of the windfarm."
Today's announcement is the latest in a series of growing supply contracts for Macom.
Macom is a privately funded inward investment Scottish company which has received support from Scottish Enterprise and SDI (Scottish Development International). The company was formed in 1999 using technology originally developed by the University of Edinburgh. They currently have ten employees, with two more to join shortly.
Clipper Windpower is a rapidly growing company engaged in wind energy technology, turbine manufacturing, and wind project development. With offices in the United Kingdom, United States of America (California, Colorado, Iowa, and Maryland), Denmark, and Mexico and a ISO9001:2000 QMS Certified, 330,000 square foot manufacturing and assembly facility located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the company designs advanced wind turbines, manufactures its 2.5-MW Liberty wind turbine and actively develops wind power generating projects in the Americas and Europe. Clipper is a public company listed on the London Stock Exchange's Alternative Investment Market (AIM). Clipper's ticker symbol is CWP.
The ordinary shares of Clipper Windpower Plc are traded on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange and are not registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Such shares may not be offered or sold to residents of the United States or to persons acting on their behalf, or to other persons who are "United States Persons" within the meaning of Regulation S as promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, unless such shares have been registered under the Securities Act or there is an available exemption from registration.