Press Release - 'New Energy Economy' Mission goes to Spain
OFFICE OF GOV. BILL RITTER, JR.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
THURSDAY, JULY 3, 2008
CONTACTS
Wil Alston, 303.866.6323, wil.alston@state.co.us
Matt Cheroutes, 303.892.3840, matt.cheroutes@state.co.us
GOV. RITTER TO LEAD "NEW ENERGY ECONOMY" MISSION TO SPAIN NEXT WEEK
Gov. Bill Ritter, Energy Office Director Tom Plant, and Economic Development Director Don Elliman will head to Spain next week on an overseas investment mission focused on renewable energy. They will be in Madrid on Monday, July 7 through Wednesday, July 9, meeting with several renewable energy companies that visited Colorado in February.
"As we build Colorado's New Energy Economy, we are diversifying our energy portfolio, creating new jobs and attracting international interest," Gov. Ritter said. "In today's globally competitive marketplace, we must make every effort to recruit new companies and let them know Colorado is the best state in America to do business. The goal of this visit is to raise Colorado's profile in Spain and Europe and encourage foreign investment in our great state."
Gov. Ritter will meet with executives from eight to 10 key Spanish companies. He also will appear at four larger events sponsored or hosted by local organizations such as the American Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy.
While the trip will emphasize Colorado's New Energy Economy, Gov. Ritter also will highlight Colorado's general economy, quality of life and acclaimed research institutions, including the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Colorado Renewable Energy Collaboratory.
Colorado already is home to several foreign renewable energy companies, including Denmark-based Vestas Blades and Spanish companies Abengoa Solar and Iberdrola Renewables.
"Iberdrola Renewables has two large wind farms in Colorado, and we would like to invest more in the state," said Martin Mugica, senior vice president of Iberdrola's USA renewables division. "The New Energy Economy strategy adds to an already-favorable investment climate. The wind blows in many places around the world, but Coloradans make their state a great place to make electricity from the wind."
Gov. Ritter will meet with officials from Iberdrola and Abengoa while he is in Madrid.