Wind Turbine Plant Blows Life Into UK Jobs

A new offshore wind turbine facility will be built in the UK creating 700 new jobs, it has been announced.

The German manufacturer Siemens said it is planning the £80m development so it can meet its future demand.

President and Chief executive Peter Loscher said: "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 forseeable future the wind power market in the UK will be characterised by major offshore projects, and we'll extend our market leadership with the new production plant."

The firm said it is exploring sites on the east cost and north east of England and is working with regional development agencies.

The agreements follows months of talk with the Government and the announcement in last week's Budget of £60m of new investment in wind power.

 

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband said the deal was "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," he added.

The company has established a new energy sector training centre in Newcastle upon Tyne and has located a "centre of competence" for offshore grid connections in Manchester.

Siemens has also established research and development centres for wind power at Keele and Sheffield universities.

Last week US energy giant General Electric announced a similar initiative in Britain, with investment of £100m, creating 2,000 jobs.

 

 

Source - Sky News

Posted Date: 30th Mar 2010