The Maine Wind Industry Initiative (MWII) is diligently working to develop Maine’s competitive advantages and to attract business opportunities for Maine companies in the wind industry sector.
On October 11-13, MWII will spearhead a Maine wind business exhibit at the AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition, taking place at the Baltimore Convention Center in Maryland.
With support, MWII Director and Industry Coordinator Paul Williamson organized this AWEA Offshore WINDPOWER business pavilion, in booth 331, to promote the expertise, capabilities and products of the following companies: University of Maine Advanced Structures & Composites Center, Bath Iron Works, CIANBRO, Lyman Morse, Maine Port Authority, Maine Composite Alliance, Sewall, Sprague, and Senergy Alternative Energy.
“Attending and exhibiting at AWEA events gives each Maine company the opportunity to showcase its high caliber products and services, as well as build necessary relationships with influential wind industry developers, manufacturers and professionals,” explains Williamson . “It is imperative that our wind sector businesses align themselves with national and international innovation and thought leaders to grow their businesses, create skilled jobs, and to give Maine the opportunity to become a major wind energy contributor.”
Maine has the greatest potential for wind energy development of all the North Eastern States. It currently has the largest installed on-shore wind-farm generation capacity on the eastern sea board. The potential off shore resources offers substantial growth opportunity.
With over 120 exhibitors and nearly 1,700 attendees, AWEA’s Offshore WINDPOWER Conference & Exhibition brings together the wind energy industry to discuss how the offshore market is expanding and to get a big picture of the US offshore wind market. The exhibition is extensive and includes new technology, wind products, developers, suppliers, and wind turbine manufacturers. Exhibiting companies are from all over the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond.
MWII is structured as an industry, government and academic partnership. In addition to bringing the wind energy industry stakeholders and interests together, MWII is identifying common needs, pursuing market opportunities, documenting the wind industry’s requirements, and assisting the State of Maine in leveraging the considerable natural resources of the state for the benefit of the State. This collaborative economic development initiative is composed of the following organized industry clusters: Maine Composites Industry (MCA), Heavy Constructors (AGC), Precision manufacturing and machining (MAMe), Marine Trades (MMTA), Environmental and Professional Services (E2Tech), Engineering (ACEC), Research and Development (AEWC), Transportation Logistics (Maine Port Authority), Major wind site developers engineering and environment consulting firms operating in this market.
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Source: einnews, September 29, 2011; Image: offshorewindexpo