- Turkey's First Wind Turbine Manufacturer to Initiate Production of Proprietary 1.65 MW Wind Turbines in 2009 for Mediterranean and Eastern European Countries
- Each Model Enerji Wind Turbine to Utilize AMSC's Core Electrical Components

DEVENS, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 6, 2008--American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC), a leading energy technologies company, announced today that it has licensed its proprietary WT1650 wind turbine design to Model Enerji A.S., Turkey's first megawatt-class wind turbine manufacturer. Under the terms of the contract, Model Enerji has exclusive rights to manufacture, sell, install, operate and maintain the WT1650 in Turkey and has non-exclusive rights for surrounding Mediterranean and Eastern European countries.

Model Enerji, based in Istanbul, plans to manufacture the 1.65 megawatt (MW) turbines, which utilize a doubly-fed induction generator drive train, in Turkey's Ankara industrial zone. The company plans to have its first prototype installed and commissioned in mid-2009 and begin producing the turbines by the end of 2009. Subject to achieving certain volume production levels with the WT1650, Model Enerji also has a right of first refusal to license a proprietary 2 or 2.5 MW wind turbine design from AMSC Windtec that will utilize a full-conversion permanent magnet generator drive train.

"Because of its vast wind resources, open terrain and industrial infrastructure, Turkey is predicted to be among the world's fastest growing wind energy markets," said M. Celal Keki, General Manager of Model Enerji. "Our highly experienced management team has extensive expertise in Turkey's energy industry. Utilizing AMSC Windtec's designs and expertise, our company will be the first wind turbine manufacturer in Turkey and is ideally positioned to capitalize on this advancing market."

Model Enerji was recently founded by a team of veterans of Turkey's energy sector. The company works in collaboration with two key Turkish partners: Pars Makina Ltd., a developer and manufacturer of turbo and rotary heat engines; and SNC Kalite Ltd., an expert in quality assurance systems and integrated logistic systems.

In addition to an upfront license fee, AMSC will receive a royalty payment for the first 425 WT1650 wind turbines manufactured by Model Enerji. AMSC also has a right of first refusal to provide the electrical systems needed for all of the wind turbines manufactured by Model Enerji.

"Turkey has one of the fastest growing economies in the world and, like all growing economies, it needs more sources of power generation to enable its continued strong growth," said Greg Yurek, AMSC founder and chief executive officer. "With the country's electricity demand expected to rise seven to eight percent annually in the coming years, the Turkish government is increasingly promoting wind power to bolster the security of the country's power supply, gain additional energy independence and reduce emissions. Model Enerji has a first-mover advantage in this dynamic market and has the technical expertise, strong management and experienced partners needed to achieve long-term success."

In its Global Wind 2007 Report, the Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) predicts Turkey could be the next "giant market on Europe's doorstep." The country's wind power capacity grew 198 percent to 146 MW in 2007. An additional 12 licensed projects with a capacity of over 600 MW are expected to be finalized by the end of 2009. The Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Agency is expected to offer licenses for up to 10,000 MW of wind energy in the years ahead and says 30,000 MW would eventually be feasible.

About Model Enerji A.S.

Model Enerji A.S. is a newly established firm launched by a team of highly experienced experts in Turkey's energy sector. Model Enerji is the first company founded in Turkey to manufacture megawatt-class wind turbines. It has plans to localize a majority of its wind turbine components within the next three years.

About American Superconductor (NASDAQ: AMSC)

AMSC is a leading energy technologies company offering an array of solutions based on two proprietary technologies: programmable power electronic converters and high temperature superconductor (HTS) wires. The company's products, services and system-level solutions enable cleaner, more efficient and more reliable generation, delivery and use of electric power. AMSC is a leader in alternative energy, offering grid interconnection solutions as well as licensed wind turbine designs and electrical systems. As the world's principal supplier of HTS wire, the company is enabling a new generation of compact, high-power electrical products, including power cables, grid-level surge protectors, Secure Super Grids^™ technology, motors, generators, and advanced transportation and defense systems. AMSC also provides utility and industrial customers worldwide with voltage regulation systems that dramatically enhance power grid capacity, reliability and security, as well as industrial productivity. The company's technologies are protected by a broad and deep intellectual property portfolio consisting of hundreds of patents and licenses worldwide. More information is available at www.amsc.com.

American Superconductor and design, Revolutionizing the Way the World Uses Electricity, AMSC, Powered by AMSC, D-VAR, PQ-IVR, PowerModule, Secure Super Grids, Windtec and SuperGEAR are trademarks or registered trademarks of American Superconductor Corporation or its subsidiaries.

Any statements in this release about future expectations, plans and prospects for the company, including our expectations regarding the future financial performance of the company and other statements containing the words "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "expects," "will" and similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. There are a number of important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include: uncertainties regarding the company's ability to obtain anticipated funding from corporate and government contracts, to successfully develop, manufacture and market commercial products, and to secure anticipated orders; the risk that a robust market may not develop for the company's products; the risk that strategic alliances and other contracts may be terminated; the risk that certain technologies utilized by the company will infringe intellectual property rights of others; and the competition encountered by the company. Reference is made to these and other factors discussed in the "Risk Factors" section of the company's most recent quarterly or annual report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the forward-looking statements included in this press release represent the company's views as of the date of this release. While the company anticipates that subsequent events and developments may cause the company's views to change, the company specifically disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing the company's views as of any date subsequent to the date this press release is issued.

CONTACT: American Superconductor Corporation (NASDAQ: AMSC)
Jason Fredette, 978-842-3177
Director of Investor & Media Relations
jfredette@amsc.com

SOURCE: American Superconductor Corporation