Siemens, GRI commit to UK offshore wind blade, tower investments

Siemens Gamesa and GRI Renewable Industries are to receive unspecified grant funding from the UK government's Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support initiative to develop blade and tower factories in the Humber region, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy said Aug. 9.

The offshore wind sector has committed to increase UK content in projects to 60% by 2030, by which time the government has set a goal of 40 GW offshore wind installed, up from 12.16 GW currently.

"With its close proximity to some of the world's largest offshore wind farms and strong skills base, the Humber region is vitally important for the growth of the British offshore wind industry and is at the heart of our green recovery," said Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng.

Siemens Gamesa is to invest GBP186 million to double the size of its blade manufacturing site near Hull, support up to 1,080 direct jobs and enabling the facility to build 100 meter-plus blades.

GRI Renewable Industries, meanwhile, is to invest GBP78 million to build an offshore wind turbine tower factory at Able Marine Energy Park, creating up to 260 direct jobs.

Both initiatives are to benefit from grants under the GBP160 million Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme, set up under Prime Minister Boris Johnson's 10 Point Plan for a green industrial revolution.

The package follows over GBP180 million of private sector investment from offshore wind manufacturers in the Humber and in Newcastle-upon-Tyne announced in July, and another GBP95 million from government to create two new offshore wind ports on the Humber and on Teesside earlier this year.

In July, SeAH Wind Ltd received unspecified funding toward a GBP117 million monopile foundation factory at Able Marine Energy Park, creating up to 750 direct jobs by 2030.

Smulders Projects UK received unspecified funding toward a GBP70 million investment in new equipment and infrastructure to enable the manufacture of offshore wind turbine transition pieces at its existing site in Wallsend, Newcastle, creating up to 325 direct jobs.