Danish energy firm Vestas chooses Kent over Hull for wind turbine factory

DANISH energy giant Vestas will not be building an offshore wind turbine factory in Hull, it has been confirmed.

The city had been a leading contender to site the new factory after the company announced its plans to build the factory on the North Sea coast.

The facility would create "hundreds" of new jobs and be responsible for assembling the world's largest turbines.

But the company has signed an option agreement for land at the Port of Sheerness, on the Kent coast, to build its seven-megawatt turbines.

While expressing disappointment, Sam Pick, business development director of Hull's Renewables Network, does not believe it will be damaging.

He said: "Obviously, as the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer, it would have been wonderful to attract Vestas to a Humber site.

"However, the East Yorkshire and North Lincolnshire areas are still emerging as the UK's capital of renewable energy.

"Work continues on E.on's Humber Gateway project, as well as important offshore wind turbine developments announced by the likes of Siemens and Centrica in this region.

"What Vestas' Kent move does prove is how the UK's east coast will play a crucial role in the future of renewables. This can only be good for the Humber area and the associated supply chain that is being established here."

The turbine manufacturer confirmed it has secured exclusive rights to the land in Kent.

Company spokesman Michael Holm previously told the Mail that Hull was being considered.

Siemens announced earlier this year it was building an �80 million factory by 2013, which would create 800 immediate jobs and the potential for 10,000 in total, through the supply chain.

Associated British Ports director Matt Jukes said there is room for a second turbine factory, but it would not necessarily be ready in time to take advantage of the Round Three offshore wind farms, which would begin construction in 2014.

Round Three will see 5,000 turbines built around Britain's coast.

The Crown Estate chose the companies and consortiums to build the wind farms, and they can choose to either build the turbines themselves or sub-contract to another manufacturer.

South of the Humber is also primed to attract big players in the renewables industry after Able UK announced it is building a huge marine energy park.

Source: http://rss.feedsportal.com/c/32715/f/503342/s/14c54588/l/0L0Sthisishullandeastriding0O0Cnews0CCity0Esnubbed0EDanish0Eenergy0Efirm0Carticle0E35483230Edetail0Carticle0Bhtml/story01.htm

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