GE Energy Management is to create a 190,000ft2 manufacturing Centre of Excellence at its facility in Clearwater, Florida. This will house an existing instrument transformer facility, as well as new manufacturing operations for capacitors. The $50 million project will lead to the creation of 250 jobs. It is expected to be fully operational by the fourth quarter of 2015.

CEO Mark Begor said: “We are well positioned to more quickly deliver improved outcomes for our customers and solve some of the world’s toughest energy problems. From this facility, we will serve customers as close as Duke Energy right here in Florida, and as far away as South East Asia and South America.”

The company makes instrument transformers for use by utilities and industrial customers to protect their equipment and ensure the safe and reliable operation of electrical systems. The new centre has been made possible by partnerships with Enterprise Florida, the City of Clearwater, Duke Energy, Pinellas County Economic Development and the Department of Economic Opportunity.

Gray Swoope, CEO of Enterprise Florida, said: “The expansion of GE Energy Management in Clearwater is a great boost for Florida’s clean-tech and manufacturing industries. Florida’s position in both industries is rising, as more and more companies in those sectors look to locate and expand here.”