French engineering firm Alstom lured to China by supportive climate

French engineering firm Alstom is entering the Chinese wind market, announcing plans to "introduce cutting edge wind power technologies to local Chinese partners." The firm, which acquired Spanish wind manufacturer Ecotècnia for EUR 350 million in 2007 (Windpower Monthly, June 2007), says it will also establish local sourcing partnerships. "China's booming wind power market and favourable governmental support provide a good opportunity for Alstom's entry into the market," says the company's Claude Burckbuchler. "We are committed to provide the best solutions to Chinese customers and are open to diversified cooperation with Chinese partners and suppliers." Alstom's wind power product portfolio ranges from 1.67-3 MW turbines, but the first turbine model to be offered to its Chinese customers will be the 1.67 MW unit. To date, the company has supplied 1534 wind turbines for 78 wind farms in Spain, France, Italy, Portugal, Japan, India and Cuba, it says.