Vestas announces Kent site for turbine manufacture
As many as 2000 jobs could be created in the UK as Danish wind turbine manufacturer Vesta announce proposals to build a manufacturing facility in Kent for the new 7MW design announced in March. But President of Vesta Offshore has called on the UK government to create the right climate for investment.
Around 2000 jobs could be created in Kent, as Vestas sign an agreement for their new manufacturing site.
After their recent launch of the 7MW turbine design in March, the company begun a search for a location for the new facility needed to house the large turbine, and prepare for 2015 production.
The new design is a long as nine double decker buses and has been specifically designed for the roughness of the North Sea and areas with similar conditions.
Today (11 May), the Danish turnbine manufacturer announced that a 70 hectare site at Port of Sheerness in Kent has been agreed, and they are now seeking planning permission for a new manufacturing and installation facility on the site.
The option on the land currently lasts for approximately a year with the possibility to extend for a further 12 months.
However, for Vestas to invest in the UK in the longer term, they say market and regulatory certainty will be needed.
They call on government to provide a transparent, long-term and stable policy framework and investment support to de-risk and reduce the investment required for such as large facility.
Ander Søe-Jensen, President of Vestas Offshore said: “We have shown our intentions to make major investment and subsequent job creation, but it is evident that we don’t just jump head first into an investment of this size. We need to make sure it makes sense businesses wise.”
He added that customers will need to see stability in the market and long term political and regulatory certainty in order to provide Vestas with the orders needed to ensure success in the UK.
He said: “Making that happen lies in the hands of the policy makers, so we are looking forward to seeing the UK government providing the best possible terms for the offshore wind industry to truly take off and the potential jobs to become a reality.”
The announcement show signs that the World’s largest wind turbine company is increasing its presence in the UK which currently has one of the world’s largest offshore wind markets.
Image: Vestas Offshore
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