GE Power Systems Signs Agreement to Acquire Enron's Wind Business
ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 20, 2002--GE Power Systems announced today it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire certain assets of Enron Wind Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Enron Corp. and a global manufacturer of wind turbine generators.
This transaction, which is subject to regulatory and Bankruptcy Court approval, is expected to close in April 2002. Enron Wind is a pioneer in wind power generation with manufacturing operations in the US, Germany and Spain. Headquartered in Tehachapi, California, Enron Wind has 1,600 employees worldwide.
With fully integrated wind power capabilities, Enron Wind offers power plant design, engineering and site selection, operations and maintenance services. The acquisition of Enron Wind represents GE Power Systems' initial investment into renewable wind power, one of the fastest growing energy sectors, said John Rice, president and CEO of GE Power Systems.
The wind energy industry is expected to grow at an annual rate of about 20 percent, with principal markets in Europe, the US and Latin America.
This acquisition will broaden the environmentally friendly, power generation options available to our customers, noted Rice. Customers looking for a renewable power alternative will now be able to acquire that solution from GE. Adding the global resources of Enron Wind clearly reaffirms our on-going commitment to providing clean energy technology for the 21st century. As a result of many technology improvements, today there are larger, more efficient wind power systems available that are comparable to larger size power generation alternatives, from a power cost perspective. Enron Wind's advanced technology has played a key role in the development of large turbines for on-shore and off-shore applications.
About GE Power Systems
GE Power Systems (www.gepower.com) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation technology, energy services and management systems with projected 2001 revenues exceeding $20 billion.
GE Power Systems provides equipment, service and management solutions across the power generation, oil and gas, distributed power and energy rental industries.
--30--lrk/at*
CONTACT: GE Power Systems
Dennis Murphy, 770/859-6948
or
Masto Public Relations
Ken Darling or Howard Masto, 518/786-6488