Siemens to expand U.S. power plant business

FRANKFURT -- German industrial conglomerate Siemens AG said Friday it would invest $50 million in its Charlotte, N.C. operations to increase the energy division's offerings of climate protecting technology for power plants.

The Munich-based company said the move would help add about 220 jobs to its work force in Charlotte over the next five years, from the current level of about 800.

Locally, Siemens has operations in Buffalo Grove, Deerfield, Chicago, Hoffman Estates, Schaumburg, Glen Ellyn, Elk Grove, Mundelein, Oak Brook, Rolling Meadows, and Wood Dale.

Siemens' plans also call for building a 75,000 square foot office facility next to its current manufacturing facility there.

The offices will house expanded engineering operations for the design, manufacture and service of energy-efficient power plant components, such as generators, as well as the company's service business for steam turbines and generators, Siemens said in a statement.

"Our location in Charlotte is a critical part of Siemens Energy global manufacturing network, serving not only the U.S. but other regions in the Americas as well," said Michael Suess, the chief executive of the Siemens Energy Fossil Power Division.

The U.S. is one of Siemens' largest markets, with Siemens-built power plants supplying one-third of North America's electricity, according to the company.

Earlier this month, Siemens said it will build a wind turbine production plant that will employ 400 workers in Hutchinson, Kansas, expanding its renewable energy presence in the U.S.

Shares of Siemens were flat at euro50.22 ($68.30) in Frankfurt afternoon trading.