GE’s first permanent magnet generator leaves factory

GE Power Conversion has successfully completed construction of its first permanent magnet generator at its factory in Saint-Nazaire. The factory has capacity to manufacture 100 such generators a year. The first unit is one of 300 to be manufactured at the site. The new generators are intended for GE’s Haliade 150-6MW offshore wind turbine.
“The factory in Saint Nazaire is the first offshore wind manufacturing site in France,” said GE Power Conversion renewables executive Frederic Maenhaut. “It is a milestone in the nation’s energy history. We are well positioned to bring clean, offshore wind energy to the domestic market as well as the export market.”
The 6MW generator is one of the largest generators of its type ever built and has a direct drive system without a mechanical gearbox. GE says this reduced component count will increase reliability and turbine availability and help to drive down the cost of wind energy. The Haliade turbine with the permanent magnet generator has been selected for the Block Island offshore windfarm in the US.