Kansas Wind Industry Supply Chain Survey

This project provides the state of Kansas with a foundation on which to build a wind energy manufacturing base by providing a better understanding of current activity in the emerging wind power generation industry within the state and region.

Kansas Wind Energy Supply Chain Survey results now available

Results of the Kansas Wind Energy Supply Chain Survey, which was designed to measure the state’s wind energy capabilities and guide future wind initiatives, are now available at www.kansaswindindustry.com, officials announced today.

Initiated in August 2009, the survey solicited data from organizations in the wind industry supply chain and those looking to enter the market. The survey captures information such as capabilities, barriers to entry and workforce issues. Survey results will: 1) allow the Kansas Department of Commerce and the Advanced Manufacturing Institute at Kansas State University to compile a resource directory of supply chain companies and organizations and 2) serve as a guide for state leaders and policymakers as they work to advance the state’s wind energy industry.

The survey was coordinated by a partnership of the Kansas Department of Commerce, Advanced Manufacturing Institute, Climate and Energy Project, Blue-Green Alliance and American Wind Energy Association.

“We’re excited to see this first wave of results from our Kansas Wind Energy Supply Chain Survey,” said Kansas Governor Mark Parkinson. “These results give us a great overview of the state’s wind energy capabilities and will help us focus our efforts and resources as we seek to make Kansas a wind energy leader. This report will serve as a resource directory – a phonebook, really – for wind-related businesses to research and contact each other, and it will also serve as an incredibly useful guide for state leaders involved in growing the state’s wind industry.”

The survey results were compiled just in time for the Kansas Wind Supply Chain Workshop, which will take place Jan. 14 from 1–5 p.m. at the Hyatt Regency in Wichita. The workshop is open to all manufacturers seeking information on the state’s wind energy supply chain and how they might become part of it. Advance and walk-in registrations will be accepted. Visit www.kansascommerce.com for details or to download a registration form.

Companies that haven’t completed the Kansas Wind Energy Supply Chain Survey are still encouraged to do so at www.kansaswindindustry.com.

For more information, contact Joe Monaco, Public Information Officer with the Kansas Department of Commerce, at (785) 296-3760 or jmonaco@kansascommerce.com.

Kansas Department of Commerce As the state’s lead economic development agency, the Kansas Department of Commerce strives to empower individuals, businesses and communities to achieve prosperity in Kansas. Under the leadership of Secretary of Commerce Bill Thornton, the Department comprises a variety of programs and services that create jobs, attract new investment, provide workforce training, encourage community development and promote the state as a wonderful place to live, work and play. Visit www.KansasCommerce.com for details.

Advanced Manufacturing Institute at Kansas State University AMI is a department within the College of Engineering at Kansas State University that provides engineering and business services to manufacturers and entrepreneurs across the state and broader plains region. AMI’s engineering staff can work directly with manufacturers wishing to enter the wind industry supply chain, make recommendations on possible components to be supplied and assess organizations’ overall production system. Visit www.amisuccess.com for details.

Climate and Energy Project The Climate and Energy Project supports lively, informed conversations about our energy future. CEP’s goal is to help halt the Midwest’s contributions to global warming and climate change. They support the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by increasing energy efficiency and developing renewable energies in a sustainable manner. Visit www.climateandenergy.org for details.

Blue Green Alliance The Blue Green Alliance is a national partnership of labor unions and environmental organizations dedicated to expanding the number and quality of jobs in the green economy. With partners USW, Sierra Club, CWA, NRDC, LIUNA, SEIU, AFT and UWUA, the Blue Green Alliance is uniting 8 million people in pursuit of good jobs, a clean environment and a green economy. Visit www.bluegreenalliance.org for details.

Kansas Wind Industry Background Kansas is ranked third nationally for wind energy potential and has more than 1,000 megawatts of wind generating capacity, which places the state in the top 10 nationally. Projections indicate that by 2030, the state’s power system could provide 7,000 megawatts for export from wind energy each year.

Located in the heart of the nation’s Wind Corridor, Kansas offers an ideal location for wind turbine manufacturing. The state’s central location and outstanding transportation infrastructure provide convenient and economical access to the regions with the greatest wind energy activity. In May 2009, Siemens Energy selected Hutchinson, Kan., as the site of the company’s first U.S. nacelle facility. The operation will create nearly 400 jobs and be the first large-scale wind turbine equipment factory in Kansas. In December 2009, Tindall Corp. announced plans to construct a facility in Newton, Kan., to manufacture concrete base systems for wind turbines that will enable the towers to be extended to heights that were not previously economically feasible. The facility will employ 400 workers and create $66 million in capital investment.