Siemens set to build giant wind turbines in UK

Siemens is set to start manufacturing giant 6MW offshore wind turbines in the UK as the company reached agreement new £310 million facility in Hull.

Construction of the Alexandra Dock site is due to start in the summer of 2015 and the first turbine blades are expected to come off the production line in winter 2016.

Once completed, the factory will create 1,000 jobs, plus hundreds more during the construction process and throughout the supply chain.

Siemens confirmed on Thursday that the site's first project will be producing 67 6MW turbines for Statoil's Dudgeon offshore wind farm, off the north Norfolk coast.

Experts have predicted that larger turbines will help to reduce the cost of offshore wind power generation through improved efficiency and reduced maintenance costs.

Delivering the same 402MW capacity for the Dudgeon project using conventional 3.6MW turbines would have required 112 machines, as opposed to the scheduled 67.

With growing pressure on UK offshore wind developers to source British products, and the cost savings offered by sourcing turbines from Hull, Siemens is expecting to fill up its order book for the new factory over the coming years.

RWE hinted in January that it could use Siemens' 6MW to revive plans for the Galloper offshore wind farm off the coast of Suffolk.

The ceremony was attended by Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey, who said the project will provide a major boost to the local economy and help to cut the costs of generating offshore wind power.

Davey said: "The work started here in Hull is thanks to Siemens, its partners and the Government working closely together to invest in UK offshore wind for the long term. The £310m investment will benefit the UK economy by creating green jobs and growth as well as providing secure, sustainable and low-carbon energy. The development will also help to drive down the costs of offshore wind. It marks the beginning of a new industry based here and exporting worldwide."