Wind turbine manufacturers Nordex have signed a joint venture contract for the local production of megawatt-class wind turbines in China with regional utility Ningxia Electric Power Group (40%) and the Ningxia Tianjing Electric Energy Development Group (10%), which operates power stations and is engaged in the construction sector.

Both companies are owners of the 110 MW Helanshan wind farm which is expected to undergo massive extensions over the next few years.

Nordex will assemble 1.5 MW turbines in the province of Ningxia and the venture has already received its first major order of 200 MW to be constructed through to 2009.