New Siemens wind turbine factory will create 700 local jobs

(30/03/2010)

Siemens has indicated its intention to invest in excess of £80m to develop an offshore wind turbine production facility in the UK. Siemens' offshore wind turbine production facility will create 700 jobs. Siemens is currently exploring a number of sites on the East Coast and in the North East and will make its decision about the exact location when the competition process for land development is complete.

“With the new wind turbine production plant in the UK we’re pushing ahead with our strategy of investments in attractive growth markets for eco-friendly technology. In the foreseeable future the wind power market in the UK will be characterized by major offshore projects, and we’ll extend our market leadership with the new production plant,” said Peter Löscher, President and CEO of Siemens AG.

Andreas J. Goss, Siemens’ chief executive in the UK, said: “The UK government has created a stable framework to attract inward investment in renewables and offshore wind power in particular. The competition for land development, announced in the Budget last week, gives us confidence that the appropriate UK port infrastructure can be made available to support our production plans. “

“The new Siemens wind turbine factory will create around 700 new local jobs once it is in production, as well as additional indirect jobs in the supply chain. With the anticipated growth in the renewables market, there is potential for expansion of the facility in the future. This £80m investment plus additional investment in our UK infrastructure for renewables will provide a much-needed economic boost for the region, as well as driving growth in the UK’s innovative wind power industry,” said Goss.

Friends of the Earth's Executive Director Andy Atkins said: "This is fantastic news - it shows that as Ministers set stronger policies for a green economy, businesses invest in the UK. But it should only be the beginning - the next Government must make the creation of a low-carbon future an urgent priority.

"Slashing energy waste and developing our huge renewable energy potential will generate tens of thousands of new jobs, reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and help make the UK a world leader in fighting climate change."

Related categories:  Wind power