Spanish glass company to invest $100 Million, hire 200

SURPRISE – Now the fifth company drawn to Arizona because of renewable energy legislation, Rioglass Solar will open a $100 million solar reflector manufacturing plant in Surprise.

The Spanish company will hire 200 people, over two construction phases, and become a major employer for the West Valley. Surprise will also serve as the United States headquarters for the company.

Rioglass will support Solana, a 250-net megawatt concentrating solar power plant that Abengoa Solar of Spain is constructing near Gila Bend. APS will deliver the power to customers.

Rioglass manufactures curved glass sheets for thermo electrical power stations for parabolic concentrators. The company is currently negotiating to supply other solar projects in the United States.

Rioglass’ first construction phase, to be completed next year, includes the 130,000 square foot headquarters, $50 million capital investment, and 109 jobs. The second phase includes an additional 130,000 square feet of manufacturing space, another $45 million, and 100 jobs.

Rioglass announced its move to Surprise during a Wednesday press conference at City Hall with Gov. Jan Brewer, Greater Phoenix Economic Council Chairman Michael Bidwill and Surprise Mayor Lyn Truitt.

“Arizona is the best place in the nation and it will compete globally for solar companies to locate and expand,” Brewer said.

Rioglass’ move confirms Business Facilities magazine’s recent ranking of Arizona as the No. 1 Alternative Energy Leader in the country, the governor said. The magazine also called Arizona the “established solar energy king.”

“We celebrate our emergence as a true solar city,” Truitt said.

Rioglass evaluated many states but the Greater Phoenix Economic Council encouraged the company to pick the region, said President and CEO Jose Maria Villanueva who traveled from Europe for the announcement.

“They helped us do analysis and convinced us this is the place to be,” he said.

GPEC partnered with APS, Surprise, state and county officials, House Speaker Kirk Adams, and county Supervisor Max Wilson on the project, which two years to complete.

In 2009, GPEC hosted a meeting between Villanueva, Adams, and Stirling Energy Systems CEO Steve Cowman to discuss the advantages of launching a headquarters in Arizona.

“APS put together a meeting with Abengoa in Spain in 2008. That led to a discussion about Rioglass Solar,” said GPEC President and CEO Barry Broome. “Large deals like this are never quick. It often takes a long time to develop the relationship and work out the details of a deal. It takes several partners to make it happen and it takes economic development tools like SB 1403.”

David Bentler, APS’ statewide community and economic development director, said the Rioglass operation is a “huge” win for Arizona and shows the Renewable Energy Tax Incentive Program (Senate Bill 1403) helps to draw suppliers.

“We were always hoping there would be auxiliary plants and opportunities popping up,” Bentler said.

Rioglass likely would not have moved here if state leaders had not approved the landmark legislation, he said. Broome, Bidwill and other state leaders deserve credit for advancing the legislation, he said.

In addition to Rioglass, the legislation has drawn China-based Suntech, Tower Automotive, Canadian-based Linamar, and Alpha Energy to establish operations in Greater Phoenix.

Renewable energy companies provide quality jobs for Arizonans, Bidwill said.

“There is more work to be done and I know Gov. Brewer is going to lead us to recovery,” he said.