GE Energy has invested more than $100 million in launching its 2.5xl wind technology, services and expanding its Salzbergen facility.

The company has also received more than one gigawatt of commitments for its 2.5xl wind turbine. Recent orders for the 2.5xl include a contract to supply 12 of the machines for Wind Farm Serra in southern Italy. This project will mark the debut of the GE 2.5xl technology in Italy.

According to GE, with a rotor diameter of 100 meters and GE's advanced grid integration technology, the 2.5xl is enabling power plant operators to meet the latest stability and availability standards of European distribution networks.

The Salzbergen site is the base for the serial production of the 2.5xl wind turbine, which is specifically designed to meet the immediate requirements of Europe, where the lack of available land can constrain the size of projects.

The Salzbergen expansion will increase GE's European training and service resources and has created more than 160 jobs. The Salzbergen plant expansion includes the addition of 28,000 square meters of property, revamping of the production hall to prepare for the ramped up production of the 2.5xl wind turbines, and adoption of Lean Six Sigma manufacturing processes.

To date, more than 11,600 GE-technology wind turbines have been installed or committed for projects worldwide.