Siemens Energy’s recently opened wind turbine nacelle assembly plant in Hutchinson, KS, has been awarded LEED® Gold certification for its environmentally responsible design and efficient operating systems. The 300,000-sq-ft facility is Siemens’ first LEED Gold-certified production facility in the U.S., as well as the first LEED Gold new construction/industrial site in the state.

“On behalf of the State of Kansas, I am pleased to offer my congratulations to Siemens Energy on this tremendous achievement,” said Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback. “This is yet another example of the private sector and the state’s workforce leading the way to do what’s best for both the Kansas economy and the environment.”

“With our portfolio of products and services that produce and support demand for clean, renewable energy, LEED certification was very important to Siemens as we built this new nacelle facility in Hutchinson,” said Kevin Hazel, head of Siemens Energy’s Americas Wind Power supply chain management. “We are honored to receive this recognition and feel that it stands for our commitment to sustainable, energy-efficient technologies as both a user and a producer.”

Siemens Real Estate facilitated the project and Gray Construction handled construction. The plant opened in December 2010 and produces nacelles for the company’s 2.3-MW and 3.0-MW wind power turbines. The nacelle is the structure at the top of a wind turbine tower that houses the components converting the blades’ rotation into electricity. The factory achieved LEED Gold certification for energy use, lighting, water and material use, as well as incorporating a variety of other sustainable strategies.

For more information, visit www.siemens.com/energy.