Former Windtec worker accused of selling secrets to Sinovel

WORLDWIDE: Wind turbine component supplier American Superconductor’s (AMSC) row with Sinovel has taken another twist with the admission by a former employee of the US company that he had sold its technical secrets.

by Staff 21 September 2011

A Serbian national and former systems specialist with AMSC subsidiary Windtec has admitted to Austrian police that he was paid €15,000 by Sinovel for sensitive data earlier this year.

AMSC supplied Sinovel with the electrical systems that are used in Sinovel’s turbines. Sinovel has been an AMSC customer since 2007 when it signed a $70 million component deal.

Last week, AMSC said it has initiated a series of legal actions against Sinovel for theft of intellectual property and breach of contract. The move stems from Sinovel’s refusal to accept a component shipment from AMSC in April.

In reply Sinovel accused AMSC of supplying a poor aftersales service and failing to fulfil its contractual obligations.