Siemens to Build Major Offshore Wind Energy Manufacturing Site in the UK
FRIMLEY, England, March 25, 2014 /PRNewswire/ – Siemens has announced its decision to invest £160 million (EUR190m) in wind energy, turbine production and installation facilities in Yorkshire. The revised plan is spreading across two sites; comprising the previously announced Green Port Hull project. That’s construction, assembly, service facility and a new rotor blade manufacturing facility. Reports state it will be located in nearby Paull, in East Riding.
Siemens is investing £160 million across the two locations and its port partner Associated British Ports (ABP) is investing a further £150 million in the Green Port Hull development. The investment will definitely provide a huge boost to the UK’s offshore wind industry and the Humber region. The combined investments of £310 million will create up to 1,000 jobs directly, with additional jobs during construction and indirectly in the supply chain.
UK Prime Minister on the new Wind Energy
Prime Minister David Cameron said:
“This is a massive vote of confidence in our long-term economic plan. This investment is going to create lots of new jobs and opportunities, meaning more financial security and peace of mind for families and a more resilient economy for our country.
Green Port Hull is the name of the UK Wind Energy Project
The Green Port Hull project has been in the making for around four years and is the product of a huge team effort between many national and local political, business and community parties and many people within Siemens in the UK, Denmark and Germany, and ABP.
The much anticipated investment is a landmark moment for the UK offshore wind industry. It is the first manufacturing plant of its kind for Siemens next generation blade technology (IntegralBlade®) designed for Siemens SWT-6.0-154 6 megawatt (MW) wind turbine. This is leading edge technology – each rotor blade is 75 metres long and when rotating covers an area the size of two and a half football pitches.
Offshore Wind Turbines
Our decision to construct a production facility for offshore wind turbines in England is part of our global strategy: we invest in markets with reliable conditions that can ensure that factories can work to capacity. The British energy policy creates a favourable framework for the expansion of offshore wind energy.
In particular, it recognizes the potential of offshore wind energy within the overall portfolio of energy production,” stated Michael Suess, member of the managing board of Siemens AG and CEO of the Energy Sector. The offshore wind market in Great Britain has high growth rates, with an even greater potential for the future.
Wind power capacity has doubled here within two years, to roughly 10 gigawatts. By 2020, a capacity of 14 gigawatts is being installed at sea alone. That’s combining the country’s environmental objectives with secure power supply. Projects for just over 40 gigawatts are currently in the long-term planning.”
Energy Secretary Ed Davey said:
This deal is excellent news for the people of Hull and the Humber, the UK, the wind industry, and our energy security. We are attracting investment by backing enterprise with better infrastructure and lower taxes. As well as helping to keep the lights on and putting more than 1,000 people in work, this deal means we will help to keep consumer bills down as we invest in home-grown green energy and reduce our reliance on foreign imports.
This deal shows our strategy for offshore wind is working; bringing investment, green jobs and growth, and helping keep Britain the number one country in the world for offshore wind.
Roland Aurich, Chief Executive, Siemens plc said:
Being able to further increase our presence in the UK with this significant commitment is great for Siemens. It’s also great for the UK economy and moreover future generations. Essentially they are benefiting from more secure and sustainable, low carbon energy.
Matthew Chinn, Managing Director of Siemens Energy UK & Ireland also said:
Siemens is a certainly a leader in offshore wind. So the investment demonstrates their ongoing commitment to UK manufacturing and confidence in the wind energy industry. The development of local manufacturing will provide a huge boost to the UK renewables industry and will help unlock other major projects and investments.
A Landmark Moment
Green Port Hull is also a landmark moment for the Humber region. It’s promising regeneration and also the creation of many hundreds of new jobs and new skills. Siemens manufacturing plans will help create around 1,000 jobs. That’s 550 at the blade factory and 450 at Green Port Hull. This is certainly a welcome boost to the economy. In addition, to Hull which will be City of Culture in 2017. Especially when the factory will be up and running.
The announcement by Siemens underlines the critical role the Humber region plays. Especially in servicing the UK’s energy needs. That’s both today and in the future. Our investment in Green Port Hull is ensuring the supply chain. In addition it’s supporting this exciting new industry. A industry that will be centred on the Humber. They are delighted that Siemens has chosen to partner with them to realize this exciting project.
Siemens and ABP
Siemens and ABP will be submitting planning applications to Hull City Council and East Riding Council over the next few months for revisions to the existing proposed scheme at Alexandra Dock and for land in Paull in East Riding for the wind turbine blade factory.
Finally, Green Port Hull is operating to meet Round 3 requirements. That’s set for early 2016. The start of production at the blade factory will be in the middle of 2016. In addition, full production levels reaching from mid 2017 onwards.
- Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue. It’s reported in annual or interim reports.
Source: Green Port Hull www.greenporthull.com, Siemens
SOURCE: Siemens Plc
