MHI Vestas Offshore Wind will repurpose a decommissioned, oil-fired power plant into a turbine painting and logistics facility.
The new facility is the latest in a series of manufacturing investments made by MHI Vestas in the UK and will compliment the firm’s manufacturing facility on the Isle of Wight where the 80m blades are manufactured.
Chief executive Jens Tommerup, said, “As we saw in the recent CfD auction round in the UK, the cost of offshore wind continues to fall. This is fantastic news for the industry and for consumers, and also a great challenge for us to optimise our operations in every area. Our new paint and logistics shop at Fawley will improve our competitiveness worldwide and strengthen our UK industrial footprint.”
The new facility, expected to begin operations in April 2018 will create up to fifty jobs, demonstrates the rapid industrialisation of offshore wind
Energy minister, Richard Harrington said, “This new facility in Fawley, developed by MHI Vestas, is a further sign of the growth of the offshore wind sector in the UK. Our Industrial Strategy and Clean Growth Strategy set out the opportunities for Britain in moving from fossil fuels to a cleaner future. This development is a fitting example as it reuses the site of a former oil fired power station to produce parts for new clean wind farms.”
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