Danish wind energy company Vestas is to revamp a factory on the Isle of Wight in the UK for the manufacture of onshore wind turbines, according to a press release.
Vestas’ facility at the site has played a role in manufacturing turbine blades since 2002, but the product made at the factory now, blades for the V174 offshore turbine, is losing demand.
“However, following an agreement in principle with the UK government, Vestas intends to reuse the factory to build blades for onshore production, primarily to support the UK market. Vestas greatly appreciates that the current UK government has leaned forward to enable this change,” Vestas writes.
Currently, around 600 people are employed in manufacturing, logistics and support functions at the plant. The redesign of the factory will allow around 300 of these employees to remain. In addition, Vestas will offer some of these employees opportunities in other parts of the business.