Nordex USA has started construction work for its first US manufacturing plant in Jonesboro, Arkansas.

The entire facility, including rotor blade production, will be fully operational by 2014. The plant represents a total investment of $100 million, with about $40 million allocated to the nacelle plant and the remainder to the rotor blade facility.

The company mentioned that the development is quite significant considering that the US is on track to be the world’s single largest wind market in 2010, with 8,500 MW of new capacity projected. Globally, that represents 23% of expected new capacity. The Arkansas plant will position Nordex to be a key competitor in the US, building on its growth of over 50% for four consecutive years. Also, the plant for Nordex is critical to its goal of generating 20% of global revenue in the US.

Construction will take place in two phases, beginning with the nacelle assembly plant and followed by a rotor blade manufacturing facility at the same location. Nacelle assembly will begin ramping up in the second half of 2010, operating at full scale by 2012 with an annual production capacity of 300 turbines, or 750 MW.

The nacelle plant will be built on 187 acres in the Craighead Technology Park and will have 115,000 square feet of production space, 10,000 square feet for a Training Academy and 35,000 square feet of office space.

Nordex is readying plans to train up a workforce through an on-site training academy, as well as a partnership with Arkansas State University.