BIG MONEY BUYS BIG WIND

Goldman Sachs’ previous profit-taking sellouts of its wind energy holdings were seen as a possible signal the resource’s value might be peaking. Not known for dispersing investments purely in service to bleeding heart causes, this new Goldman Sachs move suggests the $20 billion wind energy market is still an excellent financial holding.

Goldman Sachs Makes “Significant Investment” in Privately Held Turbine Maker Nordic Windpower
October 1, 2007 (AP via Yahoo Finance)

WHO
Investment banking group Goldman Sachs, wind turbine manufacturer Nordic Windpower Ltd. (Steve Taber, CEO; Jim Walker, co-founder)

Perhaps Goldman Sachs investment has something to do with the success of the product? (click to enlarge)

WHAT
Goldman Sachs’ “significant investment” makes it possible for Nordic to bring its unique two-blade turbine to market.

WHEN
- Nordic now expects to bring its N1000 two-blade turbine to the US market in 2008.
- Both the EU and the Swedish government have provided funding to Nordic over the 30-year R&D process of this turbine.

WHERE
- Nordic Windpower Ltd. is based in San Rafael, Calif., with operations in Sweden and the UK.
- Goldman Sachs’ corporate headquarters are in NYC.

WHY
- Goldman Sachs has in the recent past grown wind energy companies Nordex and Horizon Wind Energy and sold them at significant profits.
- Advantages claimed for the 2-blade design: (1) even distribution of load, (2) reduced maintenance and (3) smoother operation.
- The Nordic Windpower N1000 turbine’s 2008 debut in the US market follows 10 years of flawless performance in Sweden.

The N1000 2-blade turbine.

QUOTES
Taber: “We are delighted to attract Goldman Sachs, one of the world’s
leading wind industry investors, as a key shareholder. The investment will enable Nordic Windpower to become a market and technology leader in the $20 billion global wind energy industry. It provides Nordic with the resources to deliver its turbines as early as 2008 and focus on high-growth markets globally.”