Darin Huseby

Both Oregon and Washington passed renewable portfolio standards in the past year, and a growing number of renewable energy companies are setting up shop in Portland, smack in the middle of the two states. The wind industry in particular has taken a shine to the city’s location and culture.

enXco Inc., a subsidiary of French company EdF Energies Nouvelles (EDF-EN) that develops, constructs, operates and manages wind energy projects, landed in the Portland market in February 2007. Darin Huseby, who heads up the company’s business development office, is working to secure wind projects in an increasingly competitive market.

Based in North Palm Springs, Calif., enXco is the largest third-party operations and management provider for wind projects in the United States. It announced in August its parent company signed a contract with solar module manufacturer Phoenix-based First Solar Inc. (Nasdaq: FSLR) to purchase solar modules with a generating capacity of 230 megawatts (MW) over the next five years [see “enXco pushes into PV market,” SI, September 2007].

Huseby discussed with Sustainable Industries the unique challenges facing the wind and solar industries today, the Pacific Northwest’s position in the national renewable energy market, and the need to find a balance between meeting the needs of property owners and meeting increasing energy demands.

SI: What are some of the unique challenges facing the wind energy industry today?

Huseby: The whole industry is being stretched as we struggle to keep up with a rapidly growing industry. We’re seeing some dramatic shortages in turbine supply and components. The shortages go beyond just physical equipment. They are also affecting human resources. Finding experienced people in project management, project development, construction management and in commercial negotiations can be a challenge. It’s not just here in the United States. We are being affected by the growth of the wind industry in Europe and Asia, which puts supply strains on both physical and human resources.