The UK Government has welcomed Siemens plans to invest £80million in the UK for offshore wind production facilities following its Budget announcement of £60m for a competition to develop manufacturing and assembly sites sites for the offshore wind industry.
The Government claims the announcement demonstrates that the UK is the world’s top destination for offshore wind energy investment and says its strategic industrial intervention is unlocking this investment, generating a new industrial sector in the UK that could employ a high skilled workforce of 70,000 by 2020.
Siemens confirmed it is set to create around 700 local jobs and a number of further jobs in the supply chain as the company works with regional development agencies to identify a suitable manufacturing site on the East or North East coast.
Prime Minister Gordon Brown signed a memorandum of understanding with Peter Löscher, President and CEO of Siemens AG, alongside Business Secretary Peter Mandelson and Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Ed Miliband.
“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,” said Peter Löscher, President and CEO of Siemens AG. “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.”
And Andreas J. Goss, Siemens’ chief executive in the UK, added: “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.”
More than 40% of the electricity from wind power in the UK is provided using Siemens Wind Power technology.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Siemens are a world leader in wind technology and this is a fantastic endorsement of the UK as a destination for renewable energy businesses. Siemens plans will provide hundreds of manufacturing jobs and many more in the supply chain - confirming the UK as a world leader in offshore wind."
And Energy Secretary Ed Miliband added: “This is a vote of confidence from one of the foremost companies in the offshore wind sector, looking to set up a base in the UK. More proof that we’re exploiting the great natural resource that we have and creating the right conditions to attract investment. Siemens’ investment will help create jobs and help us meet our renewable energy targets.”
Siemens is the latest offshore wind manufacturer to announce plans for investment in the UK. Clipper has committed to build the world’s biggest wind turbines employing up to 500 people; Mitsubishi intend to invest up to £100 million in an offshore wind R&D facility, creating up to 200 jobs; and last week GE announced a €110 million investment which the company believe will create up to 1900 jobs.
Commenting on the announcement, RenewableUK Chief Executive Maria McCaffery said: “Today’s announcement clearly demonstrates the long term potential of the UK’s offshore wind market. RenewableUK, as the country’s leading renewable trade association, is delighted that a company with such a long tradition of excellence is joining in this pioneering project.
“This announcement and the involvement from Siemens shows what can be achieved when industry and Government work together to create the right investment conditions, and gives us confidence that as a country we will deliver on our renewable energy targets.”
Siemens is already investing in renewable skills development and research and development in renewable energy in the UK. The company has established a new Energy Sector training centre in Newcastle and has located its global Centre of Competence for offshore grid connections in Manchester. Siemens has also established R&D Centres of Excellence for wind power at Keele and Sheffield Universities.
The new manufacturing facility will produce the next generation of turbines for offshore application and will draw on R&D provided by its dedicated Centres of Excellence for wind power in the UK.
rob prosser, hereford around 2 years, 1 month ago