Gov. Chet Culver says he expects to announce at least one major new wind-energy project for Iowa soon.

During a conference call with reporters this morning from Husum, Germany, Culver said he hopes to make “a major announcement or two in the near future” related to additional wind-energy projects in Iowa that will generate a significant number of new manufacturing jobs in the state.

Culver began the weeklong trip to Europe on Saturday; his three-country agenda included speaking today at the Husum Wind Show, Europe’s largest wind trade show. He and Iowa Economic Development Director Mike Tramontina will meet with representatives from 18 wind-energy companies during the visit to Denmark, Germany and Spain.

Iowa now has 1,000 wind turbines operating statewide capable of producing over 1,000 megawatts, enough electricity to power more than 250,000 homes. Projections call for a doubling of that capacity by 2010.

Culver said attracting manufacturers of gearboxes and bearings for wind turbines to build plants in Iowa is the next challenge. “There is a concern there won’t be enough (of those suppliers within the United States),” he said. “That’s precisely why we’re talking about bringing those manufacturers closer.”

Since 2003, the state has persuaded 31 European-based wind-energy companies to build or expand facilities in Iowa, representing $750 million in new investments and 2,400 jobs, Culver said. Over the next several years, “it is fair to say we’re talking about hundreds, if not thousands, of new jobs just related to wind energy,” he said.