UK Edition
World’s biggest turbine maker to expand UK manufacturing base
The world’s biggest turbine maker is planning to expand its UK manufacturing base in the coming years in another vote of confidence for Britain’s post-Brexit industrial future.
MHI Vestas, the maker of the world’s most powerful offshore wind turbines, is mulling over plans to deepen its established industrial footprint on the Isle of Wight by moving the development of electronic components closer to Britain’s booming offshore wind market.
Philippe Kavafyan, the group’s new chief executive, told The Sunday Telegraph he would wait until the next round of offshore wind subsidy auctions scheduled for next spring before deciding the scale of investment into its UK base.
The joint venture between Japanese conglomerate MHI and Denmark’s Vestas employs 200 skilled workers at its Isle of Wight plant, where it builds its 9.5MW super-turbines for projects including the Moray Offshore Wind Farm off the Scottish coast.
“The UK already represents half our global operations. The way we view the offshore wind market is split between Britain – and the rest of the world,” Mr Kavafyan said.
“The current geopolitical concerns – trade wars, Brexit – only enforce our commitment to maintaining a presence within the markets that matter. It simply makes more sense commercially and logistically.
“We are very committed to the UK, and to growing our presence here,” he added.