A-Power Energy Generation Systems has received Chinese regulatory approval to proceed with a 600 megawatt, $1.5 billion wind farm in Texas and established a company with its partners to develop the project, according to the company.
A-Power, through its subsidiary Shenyang Power Group, also contributed $36.6 million to the the company, which is a joint venture with U.S. Renewable Energy Group Wind Partners I and Cielo Wind Power. The company has not received financing commitments for the project.
U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., has criticized the project because it the developers are seeking a manufacturing tax credit but the Chinese Shenyang Power Group is manufacturing the turbines.
However, A-Power later annouunced that it would build a wind turbine plant in the United States and the recent press release notes that a minimum of 70 percent of each turbine will be wholly manufactured in the United States.
The regulatory approval came from the Chinese National Development and Reform Commission.