GE has committed to providing offshore wind turbines and maintenance services for an initial 20-30 megawatt (MW) wind farm. At the core of the Lake Erie Project is GE's next generation wind turbine, a 4.1-MW machine designed specifically for offshore deployment. As the largest wind turbine in GE's fleet, it will incorporate direct-drive technology gained through GE's acquisition of ScanWind. The 4.1-MW wind turbine will feature GE's innovative advanced loads controls and aeroelastically tailored blade technology.

In addition to collaborating on the initial 20-30 MW project, GE and LEEDCo will create a strategic plan to identify opportunities for cost reduction to make offshore wind energy in the Great Lakes economically viable. GE and LEEDCo will also work jointly on advocacy and public policy issues to increase support for offshore wind energy, and accelerate the growth of America's offshore wind industry.

GE serves the energy sector by developing and deploying technology that helps make efficient use of natural resources. With nearly 85,000 global employees and 2009 revenues of $37 billion, GE Energy (www.ge.com/energy) is one of the world's leading suppliers of power generation and energy delivery technologies.