EDF Renewables unveils new technical training center in partnership with Riverland
Published 5:11 pm Wednesday, April 9, 2025
Mark Johnson, EVP asset optimization at EDF Renewables, Riverland President Kathleen "Kat" Linaker and members of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce perform the ribbon cutting at a ceremony celebrating EDF Renewables' new training center on Riverland's campus. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune
Representatives from EDF Renewables North America and Riverland Community College faculty members stand in front of an EDF nacelle during the EDF Training Center's ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune
Mark Johnson, EVP asset optimization at EDF Renewables, speaks about the new opportunities students will have with the new training center on Riverland's campus. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune
Riverland President Kathleen "Kat" Linaker opens the ribbon cutting ceremony on Wednesday for the new EDF Technical Training Center on Riverland's campus. Ayanna Eckblad/Albert Lea Tribune
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Center to address workforce shortage and need for renewable energy technicians
EDF Renewables North America on Wednesday officially opened their new technical training center during a ribbon cutting ceremony at Riverland Community College’s Albert Lea campus.
The EDF Technical Training Center reflects a collaboration between the college, EDF Renewables and the state of Minnesota to support the growing renewable energy sector, according to a press release.
EDF Renewables North America is an independent power producer and service provider delivering grid-scale and distribution-scale power, according to the company’s website.
The new facility in Albert Lea will host hands-on training for wind energy and renewable energy technicians, the press release stated.
“We are thrilled at the college to welcome EDF to our Albert Lea Campus and to officially open the EDF Technical Training Center,” said Riverland President Kat Linaker during the ribbon cutting ceremony. “This facility represents the collaboration between technical education and workforce development.”
Linaker said she is excited about the college being able to train the next generation of technical professionals and help address the workforce needs in an increasingly evolving energy landscape.
“This center reflects the core values of Riverland: collaboration, innovation and a student-first approach to education,” she said.
EDF Renewables Executive Vice President Mark Johnson said the company has a seven-year agreement with the college he hopes can continue many more years into the future.
The concept of the new training facility, he said, began about a year ago when EDF decided to create a central place to host all of its training programs.
Johnson said the company had opportunities to build a training center in California or Texas, but ultimately decided Albert Lea was the best option.
“It’s the best place. It’s within a day’s drive. It’s 65 percent of our projects,” he said.
Johnson added he began his career about 32 years ago as a field engineer and knows the importance of hands-on training for the safety of workers and everyone else involved.
EDF Renewables, he said, has about 400 technicians and hires an average of 50 to 100 new technicians per year to service the company’s 13 gigawatts of fleet.
“I’ve never seen an asset that doesn’t need maintenance, and we need high tech people to be able to do that,” Johnson said. “They’ll be coming here for not just basic training, but also highly advanced technical training.”
Members of the Albert Lea-Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce conducted the ribbon cutting at the event along with Johnson, Linaker, EDF representatives and Riverland faculty members.
