May 5, 2011
New York

Zotos' wind turbines idled by snag

Written by Bennett J. Loudon, Staff writer, www.democratandchronicle.com 5 May 2011

What was billed as the largest wind energy project at a manufacturing facility in the United States was rolled out last summer as a showcase of green energy.

But the blades have remained motionless on the two 364-foot wind turbines erected in January at the Zotos International plant in Geneva.

New York State Electric and Gas Co. spokesman Clayton Ellis said in an email that the towers are too close to NYSEG power lines.

“We anticipate resolution of this issue by relocating the power lines,” Ellis said.

He declined to respond to any other questions.

Zotos vice president of operations Anthony Perdigao also released a statement by email: “With respect to the wind generation project, Zotos is working through some operational issues with NYSEG, and we are confident that we will resolve those issues.”

According to the American Wind Energy Association, the $7 million project is the largest of any manufacturing company in the U.S.

Federal economic stimulus funding covered 30 percent of the cost.

The turbines are projected to generate about 70 percent of the plant’s energy. Zotos spends about $1 million a year on electricity.

A maker of hair dyes, Zotos has more than 360 full-time and 310 flex-time employees at the 660,000-square-foot plant on Forge Avenue in the Ontario County city.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2011/05/05/zotos-wind-turbines-idled-by-snag/