Elin motors at the top

Styrian suppliers leading the way in wind power

The largest wind farm in Styria is located on the Pretul.(Bild: ÖBf-Archiv/R. Leitner)

Company visit to one of the most important suppliers in the wind industry: Elin-Motoren produces wind turbine components for India in Weiz. With an annual turnover of more than one billion euros, the wind energy sector is a strong driver of the Austrian economy - and has Styrian companies leading the way.

Every second wind power plant contains technology from Austria. And the Austrian economy earns around 8.4 million euros from every wind turbine produced. The foundation for this strong economic sector is formed by 180 innovative companies that are active worldwide as suppliers and service providers. A Styrian model company: Elin-Motoren near Weiz.

A tour of the company on Monday with Fritz Herzog, Chairman of IG Windkraft, and Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (The Greens) provides a look behind the scenes: The generators from Elin-Motoren can be used both on land and on the high seas. The Styrian know-how is even used in India - last year, the largest Indian wind turbine was equipped with a 5.39 megawatt generator.

Factory tour with Bodo Helm (Managing Director of Elin-Motoren), Climate Protection Minister Leonore Gewessler (The Greens) and Sandra Krautwaschl (Chairwoman of the Styrian Green Party).(Bild: ELIN Motoren)

Siemens Energy also has a nearby location with international appeal. "The Weiz site is a cornerstone for the further development of transformer technology and the integration of green energy projects such as wind power into the European power grid," says Christian Ettl, Head of the Siemens Energy plants in Weiz, Nuremberg, Budapest and Jinan, China.

"The potential of wind power in Austria is enormous," emphasizes IG Chairman Herzog. "We just need to tap into this treasure. We can not only protect the climate, but also secure the business location with affordable renewable energy." With this in mind, a new brochure was presented on Monday. Gewessler sees this as an impetus: "The energy system of the future is affordable, climate-friendly and secure - and wind power is essential for this." The large number of Austrian companies active in this field is something to be proud of.