Siemens to build major offshore wind manufacturing site in the UK
Siemens has announced its decision to invest £160 million in wind turbine production and installation facilities in Yorkshire creating more than 1,000 new jobs in the Hull area.
The proposed turbine construction, assembly and service facility in Hull (image courtesy of Siemens)
Siemens has announced its decision to invest £160 million in wind turbine production and installation facilities in Yorkshire creating more than 1,000 new jobs in the Hull area.
The revised plan will be spread across two sites comprising the previously announced Green Port Hull project construction, assembly and service facility and a new rotor blade manufacturing facility in nearby Paull, in East Riding.
Siemens is investing £160 million across the two locations and its port partner Associated British Ports (ABP) is investing a further £150 million in the Green Port Hull development. The investment will provide a huge boost to the UK’s offshore wind industry and the Humber region. The combined investments of £310 million will create up to 1,000 jobs directly, with additional jobs during construction and indirectly in the supply chain. The much anticipated investment is a landmark moment for the UK offshore wind industry.
Energy Secretary Ed Davey said:
“This deal is excellent news for the people of Hull and the Humber, the UK, the wind industry, and our energy security. We are attracting investment by backing enterprise with better infrastructure and lower taxes. As well as helping to keep the lights on and putting more than 1,000 people in work, this deal means we will help to keep consumer bills down as we invest in home-grown green energy and reduce our reliance on foreign imports. This deal shows our strategy for offshore wind is working; bringing investment, green jobs and growth, and helping keep Britain the number one country in the world for offshore wind.”
Michael Suess, member of the managing board of Siemens AG and CEO of the Energy Sector said:
“Our decision to construct a production facility for offshore wind turbines in England is part of our global strategy: we invest in markets with reliable conditions that can ensure that factories can work to capacity. The British energy policy creates a favourable framework for the expansion of offshore wind energy. In particular, it recognizes the potential of offshore wind energy within the overall portfolio of energy production. The offshore wind market in Great Britain has high growth rates, with an even greater potential for the future”.
How offshore wind measures up (infographic courtesy of Siemens)