The Basque Governments Industry Minister visited Alstoms Galindo factory

The Basque Governments Industry Minister, Bernabé Unda, visited Alstoms facility in Galindo (Vizcaya) this morning. This visit is part of the framework to support R&D centres located in the Basque Country. Accompanied by the Vice-Ministers of Industry and Energy (Xavier Garmendia) and Innovation and Technology (Juan Ignacio Goicolea), Unda highlighted the importance of investing in innovation to maintain and further boost the Basque industry, especially for those sectors which have a long and prosperous tradition in the region. Alstoms presence and involvement in Galindo dates back to the 1930s. 

The Vizcayan plant is clearly export-oriented (80% of its production is sold in other markets). But it is also a point of reference in renewable energy research projects and new developments. 

In addition to manufacturing engines and generators for hydroelectric power generation, engineering and management studies are also carried out in Galindo for hydroelectric projects. The multinational Alstom leads the global market in this field, having installed 25% of the capacity. Moreover, it has a specific renewable energy research department where, in collaboration with other national and international centres, it takes part in developing new technologies to generate energy. 

Alstom has almost 4,000 employees in Spain, spread across 35 sites. All of the company's industrial and business sectors are represented: Energy (wind, hydroelectric and thermal), Rail transport (rolling stock, maintenance, signalling and infrastructure) and Grid (network engineering solutions, mobile substations, high voltage and automation). 

Alstom is the world leader in electricity generation and transmission and railway transport, and a reference in innovative and environmentally-friendly technology. Alstom manufactures the worlds fastest trains and the largest automatic metro. It also provides integrated turnkey solutions for electricity plants, and associated services, for a large range of energy sources including nuclear, gas, coal, hydro and wind power. The Group has 92,500 employees in 100 countries and achieved sales worth 20.9 billion in 2010/2011.

Press Contact - Alstom Spain
Irma Aguado Tel.: +34 91 334 5681 686 67 71 04 - irma.aguado@crn.alstom.com / www.alstom.es