UPDATE 1-Nordex expects 2012 sales, profits to rise

* Expects sales, profits to rise in 2012

* Puts hope on recovering European, U.S. markets

* Shares indicated 7.4 percent higher

(Adds details, background)

FRANKFURT, March 28 (Reuters) - German wind turbine maker Nordex (NDXG.DE) expects sales and profits to rise in 2012, putting hopes on a recovery of the sluggish European market and a pickup of wind turbine demand in the United States.

Nordex, in which Germany's richest woman Susanne Klatten and her husband own nearly 25 percent, also confirmed its 2011 outlook of stable sales compared with 2010, when it reached revenues of 972 million euros ($1.37 billion) and added it aimed to keep earnings stable this year.

This chimes with views from Danish sector leader Vestas (VWS.CO) who said last month that 2011 results would be similar to those of 2010, as growth in Europe, the world's second biggest wind market, remains subdued. [ID:nLDE6650QH]

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Graphic on market share of wind turbine makers:

r.reuters.com/hyd78r

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Shares in Nordex were 7.4 percent higher in pre-market trade on the positive 2012 statements, but were also boosted by the victory of renewables-friendly parties in two regional elections in Germany on Sunday. [ID:nLDE72Q0E6]

The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) in March forecast global wind power capacity will more than double by 2015 -- growing to 450 gigawatts (GW) from 194.4 GW at the end of 2010, and will add more than 40 GW of new capacity this year. [ID:nLDE72E0U2]

According to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, Nordex's 2011 sales are seen at 1.06 billion euros, while 2012 sales are expected to reach 1.15 billion.

(Reporting by Christoph Steitz)