American Superconductor shares rise on order

American Superconductor Corp. has received a $450 million order to supply electrical components for wind turbines in China, sending the firm's stock up sharply.

The Central Massachusetts firm said today that the order from Beijing-based Sinovel Wind Corp. calls for shipments to begin in January and run through 2011.

American Superconductor chief executive Gregy Yurek says the wind turbines that will be equipped with his firm's components would nearly double China's current total wind energy capacity.

The firm supplies components that regulate wind turbine power flow, monitor performance and control the pitch of turbine blades.

Shares of American Semiconductor rose $8.27, or 23 percent, to $44.35 in afternoon trading on the Nasdaq Stock Market. That's the stock's highest price in nearly eight years. (AP)