Zarah ChoudharyThe Government has reached an agreement in principle with wind turbine manufacturer Vestas to repurpose its wind blade factory on the Isle of Wight, saving 300 jobs.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said a collaborative approach between the company and the Government meant a site that was almost certain to close would now have a future, offering highly skilled jobs and giving the UK new industrial capability.
The proposed plans for the factory were made possible in part because of the lifting of the ban on onshore wind – part of the Government’s Plan for Change.
The factory in Newport, which has been on the island for more than 20 years, currently produces offshore wind turbine blades, employing 600 people.
In that time the technology for offshore wind has evolved, with bigger blades needed for the new turbines to produce more clean power.
Demand for the product currently manufactured at the site is coming to an end and logistical constraints means it cannot produce the next generation of offshore blades, so the company had indicated the factory was at risk of closure.
The Government said it considers blade manufacturing essential for its clean power mission and intervened to negotiate.
The agreement in principle between the Government and Vestas meant the site can be repurposed to make wind blades for onshore wind turbines.
This method of Government intervention has led to over £60bn in investment since July.
Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “My thoughts today are with the staff at Vestas who are facing uncertainty about the future of their jobs, especially at this time of year.
“I am, however, pleased that we have reached this agreement in principle with the company to save 300 jobs on the site, and that our lifting of the ban on onshore wind farms is helping make a site earmarked for closure viable for the future.
“This agreement in principle will now need to be followed up by the formal due diligence process.
“But the action we are taking is designed to secure work at one of the Isle of Wight’s largest employers, and give the UK a vital new industrial capability for our clean energy future.”
