Earlier today, NRG Systems President and CEO Jan Blittersdorf released the following statement as the company reduced its workforce by 18 employees in response to ongoing uncertainty and volatility in the global wind energy industry.

“It is with great sadness that I said goodbye to 18 skilled and dedicated employees today. As the owner and CEO of NRG Systems, this is the last thing I had ever hoped to do. It was a deeply unfortunate, though necessary act to preserve our future in the face of a deeply unstable wind energy industry.”

While the U.S. wind industry has always weathered the boom-and-bust cycle of inconsistent federal policy, the stakes today are much higher given the 400-plus manufacturing facilities and 75,000 employees supported by wind energy. After a decade of steady growth, the wind industry is being hampered by external forces, including an uneven playing field for U.S. energy subsidies, the looming expiration of the Production Tax Credit for wind, and abnormally low natural gas prices.

The layoffs, following cuts in company benefits, travel and other expenses, were made based on business need. The employees who were let go are all eligible for severance pay, unemployment benefits, and access to the Company’s Employee Assistance Program. With a current workforce of now 100 employees, the company believes it is positioned well for success when the market stabilizes.