Gamesa has completed its management team in the United States by appointing Borja Negro as Chief Executive Officer for North America reporting in to David Flitterman, Chairman.
Borja Negro, with his extensive background in the wind energy industry and experience in the US market, follows the recent arrival of David Flitterman, Chairman for North America, who brings a broad global finance background to Gamesa. Together, the executives will lead the business activities of Gamesa's operations in the US -the manufacture and delivery of wind turbines, operation and maintenance services, and wind farm sales and development- and guide its expansion in the division's sphere of influence in Canada, Mexico and Central American countries.
Borja Negro, from Bilbao, Spain, holds a degree in industrial engineering and attended the PDG (General Management Program) at Spain's IESE Business School. He joined Gamesa in 2002. His positions at Gamesa have included Corporate Director of Wind Farm Solutions; Sales Director at the Development and Sales of Wind Farm unit; Sales Director for the US wind turbine business and Division Director of international markets.
Recently, Borja Negro co-led the sale to Algonquin Power of four US wind farms having a combined capacity of 480 MW, a deal worth $900 million (approximately 700 million euros). This commercial transaction represents a new approach in the industry for packaging and selling wind farms without a PPA.
"Borja has great technical skills and a far-reaching understanding of Gamesa and the international wind energy industry, specifically that of the United States. I am delighted that he is joining us in building our presence in this strategic market," said Chairman for North America, David Flitterman.
North America, a strategic market
Gamesa's manufacturing presence in the US dates back to 2005. Today, Gamesa has two factories in Pennsylvania and one offshore technology centre in Virginia. The company employs 900 people in the US. It is also very active in the wind farm development and sales segment.
The U.S. market currently represents 14% of Gamesa's global wind turbine sales volumes (MW). Gamesa was the recipient of the U.S. Export-Import Bank's ‘Renewables Energy Exporter of the Year' award in 2011.