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Despite its compact size, Estonia attracts big industrial projects. This September, ABB has opened two strategic facilities in Estonia’s Jüri technology park following a €9M investment. The company launched Europe’s only wind turbine service centre and expanded its motor manufacturing capabilities to handle 60-megawatt components.
ABB’s new facility is the company’s sole wind turbine competence and service centre globally, focusing on generator renovation, testing, and modernization. The centre serves clients across Europe and aims to extend equipment lifespan while improving efficiency.
The facility addresses a significant market need: refurbishing existing wind turbine generators takes half the time of manufacturing new equipment. This approach reduces material usage, waste, and energy consumption while maintaining reliability standards.
ABB Baltic business manager Jukka Patrikainen noted that Estonian workers have decades of experience with these systems, having previously manufactured them. The investment creates approximately ten new positions for mechanics and engineers.
“The CoE in Estonia is more than a service centre – it is a strategic enabler for long-term performance, designed to deliver what wind operators need most: speed, reliability, and lifecycle support,” said Daniel Gerber, Business Line Manager, Renewable Power, Motion High Power Division. “Backed by ABB’s global expertise and decades of experience in mission-critical applications, we combine rapid generator replacement, advanced refurbishment capabilities, and predictive maintenance solutions to help our customers reduce downtime, extend turbine life, and transition to digital asset management. ”
ABB’s Estonian motor and generator factory can now produce components for motors up to 60 megawatts, a twelve-fold increase from the previous 5-megawatt capacity. These large motors power mining equipment, ships, and pumping stations worldwide. The facility is now Europe’s largest and most capable producer of active components in its category. Production specifications include equipment weighing up to 45 tons and reaching heights of 4.5 meters. The new line began operations in July.
Strategic significance
“ABB’s decision to expand production and establish its global wind turbine maintenance centre in Estonia is a significant recognition for Estonia’s economic environment,” said Minister of Economy and Industry Erkki Keldo. “The fact that Estonian engineers have been entrusted with one of the most complex manufacturing processes in Europe demonstrates that our experts possess skills of the highest international standard. As a nation, the creation of several dozen new highly skilled engineering positions is of considerable importance, supporting research and development activities, increasing the company’s added value, and further strengthening Estonia’s standing as a country of advanced technological manufacturing.”
ABB has operated in Estonia since 1992 across four areas: sales, manufacturing, maintenance services, and business services. The company has received five “Foreign Investor of the Year” awards and one “Enterprise Award” during its 30+ years in Estonia. The company has over 110,000 employees globally and draws on more than 140 years of industry experience.
