Great Lakes Wind Network is an international supply chain advisory group and network of manufacturers. Our mission is to increase the domestic content of North America’s wind turbines.

What We Do

• Link wind industry OEMs and component suppliers to help them to expand their businesses and keep pace with market demand.
• Help manufacturers evaluate market opportunities in the wind sector and connect them with potential customers.
• Join with public and private groups to support new investment.

Support smart public policy initiatives that are key to expanding the wind industry.

Market Opportunities

Wind power is one of the fastest growing industries in the United States. Across America, tall towers are sprouting up and tapping into a clean, renewable source of electrical energy for our nation. In the recent U.S. Department of Energy's groundbreaking report, 20% Wind Energy by 2030: Increasing Wind Energy's Contribution to U.S. Electricity Supply, a benchmark was established that challenges our nation to generate 20% of its electricity from wind by 2030.

Today, the U.S. leads the world in market expansion–shattering all previous records in 2007, by installing 5,244 megawatts of power. Total U.S. capacity grew by 45%, on top of a 30% increase in 2006 with new wind projects accounting for approximately 30% of all new power producing capacity added across the country.

With this rate of growth, there is little spare capacity in the supply chain–and plenty of opportunity for firms looking for new business. A recent national study reports that the Great Lakes region has the highest potential to supply the 8,000+ components found in today's wind turbine. With a well-established base of manufacturers with the workforce, research, and technology to support heavy industry and wind turbine component manufacturing, supplying OEMs in the wind sector is an ideal growth market for manufacturing firms in the Great Lakes region.

The Great Lakes Region – A Global Supply Chain Network of Wind Component Manufacturers

The Great Lakes region is home to multiple international leaders that operate research and development centers. This capacity, along with the market diversity of component manufacturing base, has made this region a global supply center for the wind industry.

Castings.  The Great Lakes region is the epicenter of the world's foundry industry.  Wind components currently produced in the region include hubs, baseplates, and gearbox housings.

Machining.  Precision boring and finishing is performed by machine shops throughout the region, many of which have qualified for and are engaged in wind component manufacturing.  CMM capabilities exist and are being expanded.

Bearings.  As a hub for bearing manufacturing, the region includes bearings and slew bearings giants.

Gears.  The ability to supply large-scale gears is supported by manufacturers throughout the region, many of which are currently expanding their production capacity.

Forges.   Gear blanks and shafts are among the components supplied by multiple regional forges, which also support aerospace, construction, energy, and automotive sectors.

Fabrications.  Steel-bending, fabricating, and assembly capabilities exist in the region's fabrication shops to handle large-scale components.