Avangrid Celebrates Grand Opening of National Training Center in Oregon

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Avangrid (NYSE: AGR), a key player in sustainable energy and part of the Iberdrola Group, has opened its National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon. The NTC, located in Sherman County, will train over 200 employees yearly in wind and solar technologies, positioning Avangrid to meet the growing demand for skilled technicians. The center features state-of-the-art facilities, including virtual and mixed reality environments, a 30-foot fall protection tower, and hands-on training with actual equipment. This initiative aligns with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' projection that wind turbine service technicians will be the fastest-growing job through 2032. The facility also underscores Avangrid's commitment to local communities, contributing over $140 million in property taxes and supporting over 60 full-time jobs in the region. The training will adhere to standards set by the American Clean Power Association and seek Global Wind Organisation certification for safety compliance.

National Training Center (NTC) will be a world-class training facility providing hands-on training to employees across wind and solar technologies

Wind turbine service technician is expected to be the fastest growing job through 2032, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Interested media unable to attend the grand opening can find b-roll, soundbites, and images from the event in the embedded links

MORO, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR), a leading sustainable energy company and member of the Iberdrola Group, today celebrated the grand opening of its National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon. The NTC is a world-class facility located in Sherman County near many of Avangrid’s operating wind and solar farms, and will serve as a centralized location to train and upskill technicians working across Avangrid’s onshore renewable energy portfolio.

Avangrid CEO Pedro Azagra and the Avangrid team cut the ribbon at the grand opening of its National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon. (Photo: Business Wire)

“It was a pleasure to celebrate the grand opening of the National Training Center today alongside our dedicated Oregon and Washington employees, and I am proud to see this project come to life,” said Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO. “This new facility will be key to executing on our commitment to accelerating a clean energy transition. It will help us bring new wind and solar technicians up to speed quickly and efficiently, and empower the hundreds of technicians currently operating our onshore fleet to become experts in their field.”

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, wind turbine service technicians will be the fastest growing job through 2032. With the NTC, Avangrid will be well-positioned to address the growing demand for these highly skilled, clean energy jobs.

Avangrid expects to train more than 200 employees each year at the NTC. Technicians will gain practical and realistic training with the latest wind and solar technologies across all major equipment manufacturers used in Avangrid’s utility-scale projects. The first cohort will begin coursework as soon as this summer.

The facility will include several innovative features, such as:

• Fully-immersive training: Using virtual reality and mixed reality, technicians will become familiar with a variety of machines and experience working through challenges in a simulated environment.
• Fall protection tower: A 30-foot tower on site will teach technicians how to handle emergencies while working at heights on a turbine. Addressing one of the biggest risks in the wind industry, this enables trainees to master proper safety protocols in a safe place before working on a turbine.
• Hands-on experience: The NTC will feature a completely intact nacelle (top of the wind turbine), providing the hands-on opportunity for technicians to practice maintenance and troubleshooting on real-world equipment, as well as additional individual components pertaining to a wind farm, solar plant, or High Voltage installation.

The NTC is located in Sherman County near many of the Avangrid’s 14 renewable energy facilities in Oregon, and represents an additional commitment and investment in the region. The company’s wind and solar fleet support more than 60 full-time operations jobs in the region and have contributed more than $140 million combined in property taxes over the life of projects.

Avangrid’s training program was developed in accordance with guidelines from the American Clean Power Association. Additionally, Avangrid will seek certification from the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) to ensure technicians are meeting global industry safety standards.

About Avangrid: Avangrid, Inc. (NYSE: AGR) aspires to be the leading sustainable energy company in the United States. Headquartered in Orange, CT with approximately $45 billion in assets and operations in 24 U.S. states, Avangrid has two primary lines of business: networks and renewables. Through its networks business, Avangrid owns and operates eight electric and natural gas utilities, serving more than 3.3 million customers in New York and New England. Through its renewables business, Avangrid owns and operates a portfolio of renewable energy generation facilities across the United States. Avangrid employs approximately 8,000 people and has been recognized by JUST Capital as one of the JUST 100 companies – a ranking of America’s best corporate citizens – in 2024 for the fourth consecutive year. In 2024, Avangrid ranked first among utilities and 12 overall. The company supports the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals and was named among the World’s Most Ethical Companies in 2024 for the sixth consecutive year by the Ethisphere Institute. Avangrid is a member of the group of companies controlled by Iberdrola, S.A. For more information, visit www.avangrid.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240625099541/en/

Media Contact:

Keaton Thomas

Keaton.thomas@avangrid.com

503-956-9621

Source: AVANGRID

FAQ

What is Avangrid's National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon?

Avangrid's National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon is a state-of-the-art facility designed to provide hands-on training for technicians in wind and solar technologies.

How many employees will Avangrid train annually at the NTC?

Avangrid expects to train more than 200 employees each year at the National Training Center in Oregon.

What advanced training features does Avangrid's NTC offer?

Avangrid's NTC offers fully immersive training with virtual and mixed reality, a 30-foot fall protection tower, and hands-on experience with actual wind turbine components.

Why is the NTC significant for Avangrid's renewable energy projects?

The NTC is important for training skilled technicians, aligning with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics' projection of wind turbine service technicians being the fastest-growing job through 2032, ensuring Avangrid meets rising demand.

How does Avangrid's National Training Center support the local community?

The NTC supports the local community by contributing over $140 million in property taxes and maintaining over 60 full-time operations jobs in the region.

What certifications will Avangrid seek for its training program?

Avangrid will seek certification from the Global Wind Organisation (GWO) to ensure technicians meet global industry safety standards.