UK to boost windfarm construction capacity

Siemens Gamesa’s wind turbine blade manufacturing site in Hull, UK

The UK government has offered grant funding to two green energy companies to boost the manufacturing capacity of their offshore wind programmes.

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and GRI Renewable Industries will each receive a share of the €190 million Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support fund, with both companies planning new or upgraded manufacturing facilities in the country’s Humber region in the north of England.

Siemens Gamesa will invest €220 million to double the size of its already operational blade manufacturing site in Hull. The 41,600m2 extension to the facility is expected to directly create more than 200 jobs in the area.

The extended facility will have the capacity to manufacture both offshore wind turbines and blades of more than 100m.

GRI’s investment will total approximately €92 million, as it establishes its own offshore wind turbine factory, with the potential to create up to 260 jobs.

The new funding is additional to the €112 million pledged by the UK government in March, for the construction new offshore wind facilities in the region.

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson said, “The Humber region embodies the UK’s green industrial revolution, with new investment into developing the next generation of wind turbines set to create new jobs, export opportunities and clean power across the country.

“With less than a hundred days to go until the climate summit COP26, we need to see more countries embracing new technologies, building green industries and phasing out coal power for a sustainable future.”

UK business & energy secretary Kwasi Kwarteng added, “With its close proximity to some of the world’s largest offshore wind farms and strong skills base, the Humber region is vitally important for the growth of the British offshore wind industry and is at the heart of our green recovery.

“Our announcement backed by private investment will give a boost to this important industrial heartland, creating and supporting thousands of good quality jobs across the region while ensuring it is on the frontline of developing the next generation of offshore wind turbines.”