Vestas has confirmed its intention to further expand its offshore wind production footprint in the UK
Doing so will be contingent on the success of the company in securing sufficient project volume in the upcoming contracts for difference (CfD) Allocation Round 4.
The company said it is investigating the potential to expanding its UK footprint through additional manufacturing and supplier sites across the UK.
The company recently celebrated more than 20 years at its Isle of Wight facility in Newport with the production of its 1,000th offshore wind blade from the facility.
The V164-9.5 MW blade is destined for the 1,075-MW Seagreen offshore windfarm being developed by SSE Renewables and Total.
In a statement, the company said, “To increase the economic benefit of offshore wind to the UK, Vestas is engaged in discussions with potential partners that can competitively supply towers and additional blade manufacturing in the northeast of England and has signed memoranda with several potential partners.”
The company said it anticipates it could create nearly 2,000 direct jobs across the wind turbine manufacturing supply chain if it secures enough volume.
Vestas president and chief executive Henrik Andersen said, “We are positive about the potential market being created by the CfDs. If successful in securing enough turbine orders from Allocation Round 4 – which includes a strengthened supply chain plan for project developers – Vestas intends to expand its already sizeable UK footprint.
“We are in discussions with a number of potential partners and look forward to securing competitive solutions that augment Vestas’ activities in the UK, for delivery of future projects.”
Vestas recently announced that it was developing a new-generation turbine, the V236-15.0 MW, which will have 115.5-m long blades. The Isle of Wight manufacturing facility has the potential to be expanded for series production of these blades, enabling Vestas to leverage the wind expertise that the company has built up in the UK.
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