Colorado Energy News recently caught up with RePower USA’s Steve Dayney, nearly six months after the initial announcement that his wind turbine company would be relocating from Portland to Denver. The move was celebrated by the Ritter Administration as another positive result of his policy emphasis on the New Energy Economy. Dayney is no stranger to Colorado and, in fact, shas pent 30 years in the energy industry, most of them in our state, including stints with Public Service of Colorado and its successor companies - New Century Energies and Xcel Energy. He also spent a couple of years at 6th Dimension, a startup at the time in Fort Collins. The CEO couldn’t hide his pleasure about returning to his home state for so many years to establish REpower USA’s headquarters in Denver.

Colorado Energy News: How has the relocation to Denver worked out to this point for your company?

Steve Dayney, RePower USA:  We’re very happy to be in Denver and Colorado. So far it has been excellent.

Colorado Energy News: Why the move in the first place?

Dayney: We wanted a central location in the U.S. in a place where we could attract quality employees who would want to come here. People generally want to come to Colorado, so it’s a good spot for relocating. The worker talent pool here is very strong, and the overall business climate and tax structure are good.

Colorado Energy News: How important is the North American market to RePower’s business?

Dayney: It’s extremely important to us and our overall global business plans, and we’re working very hard to achieve our goals.

Colorado Energy News: Give us your assessment of the U.S. wind industry right now?

Dayney: As press reports have said, 2009 was a record year for wind power installations with nearly 10,000 megawatts coming online. It will be a challenge to meet that amount this year. There was a tremendous number of units sold in 2008, and companies wanted to get the turbines in the ground and operational. The first half of last year saw a lot fewer orders compared to the same period in the previous year.

Financing is beginning to flow again into projects. No question the economic stimulus through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act helped. However, the wind industry really needs to get off the crack cocaine of short term tax credits and move to consistent, long term policy support of renewables in the U.S. Only then will turbine suppliers make long term manufacturing commitments.

Colorado Energy News: What about your position in the marketplace. Give us a sense of how you see that evolving?

Dayney: REpower is well positioned for the U.S. market. Our turbines have a high degree of sophistication with respect to meeting grid requirements seen in the U.S. From a commercial perspective, we’d like to increase the dollar base of our turbine content here. One way to do that is to establish a supply chain and manufacturing facility in the USA.

Colorado Energy News: If the economy improves, do you anticipate RePower adding jobs in 2010?   

Dayney: Yes, we do. Right now we have 20 people employed in the Denver headquarters where we run the entire U.S. sales operation. All our turbines are manufactured in Europe and shipped over here. Generally, potential clients contact us directly. The power range for our turbines is in the 2.05 megawatt area. We will be offering a 3.4 megawatt machine in 2011 (3.XM turbine). RePower provides the wind farm developer with the turbines, which involves delivery, assembly and commissioning. We currently don’t offer supplies including cranes, road building and related tasks. Those are up to the developer. Our turbines will fit into any current wind location in the country - Class 1, 2 or 3.

Colorado Energy News: RePower USA just closed on a pretty significant deal in Minnesota. Tell us about it.

Dayney:  We  sold 20 turbines to National Wind, a private development company, using 100 meter towers. Our machines meet the design requirements of the location.

Colorado Energy News: Is Repower involved in the offshore market?

Dayney: Most definitely. In fact we are the technology leader for the offshore market with 5 megawatt to 6.15 megawatt machines for applications in Europe. We’re seeing growing support for offshore wind development in many coastal states in the U.S.

Colorado Energy News:  We look forward to continuing to report on RePower’s progress, Steve. Thanks.

Dayney: You’re welcome. I hope we can give you plenty of news.