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Wind energy deal to create 90 jobs

By Bill Bradley Sudbury?s wind power developers, the newly formed Repower Canada, is hiring five to 10 sales and administrative staff shortly, according to parent company Consbec.
By Bill Bradley

Sudbury?s wind power developers, the newly formed Repower Canada, is hiring five to 10 sales and administrative staff shortly, according to parent company Consbec.
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Mayor Jim Gordon and Bodo Ihrke, a government official from Germany, look over a deal that could create jobs here.

A deal was signed this week between Consbec Group of Companies and Gagnon Renewable Resources Inc. and RePower Systems AG of Germany.

Consbec chair Richard Walker Jr., says these are the first of the estimated 90 full-time jobs to be created when the new wind turbine manufacturing facility is fully operational. Metal fabricators and assemblers will then be required.

The sod will be turned on the new building in the Val Caron Industrial Park. in 12 to 18 months, said Walker.

He added the new industry can be expected to indirectly create two to three times the 90 jobs.

Walker will be heading to Germany in the next few weeks to finalize the business plans with their German partner.

The new sales staff will help to potentially propel Repower Canada into the lucrative American wind energy market. John Caruso, head of the Greater Sudbury Development Corporation, said.

?There currently is a supply shortage of wind turbines of up to six months. There is export potential for Sudbury.?

Caruso also noted, ?with the deregulation of the power industry, there are more opportunities for the private sector and this should spur more developments in wind energy or solar.

?In the past the former Ontario Hydro made it difficult for private generators. In fact, over time, I think wind energy is a supplemental alternative to nuclear and coal generation. Europe is miles ahead of us.?

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