Avangrid begins construction on Oregon-based National Training Center

The sustainable energy company Avangrid, Inc., recently began work on its National Training Center (NTC) in Oregon to offer hands-on training to wind and solar industry employees.

The facility will eventually become a mixed-use building, with virtual reality and mixed-reality machines at hand, a 30-foot, three-story tower to teach technicians how to handle emergencies at turbine heights and the fully intact top of a wind turbine on site to offer hands-on maintenance and troubleshooting opportunities for technicians.

“We are incredibly proud to see this project come to life and take our training capabilities to the next level,” Pedro Azagra, Avangrid CEO, said. “This facility will be a differentiator for our company by speeding up the training and onboarding of our new hires while boosting the proficiency of current employees. A well-trained staff is key to ensuring our wind and solar farms produce the power that will accelerate a clean energy transition in the U.S. to address climate change.”

The NTC is located near several wind farms owned and operated by Avangrid already. Construction is expected to finish up this spring.

Eventually, Avangrid will also seek certification from the Global Wind Organization to guarantee its technicians and training meet with global industry safety standards.