- Government intervention alongside investment from Vestas
has saved over 300 jobs at their Isle of
Wight factory, securing its future as the
UK's only dedicated onshore wind blade plant
- A £20 million grant has supported the
repurposing of the site, scaling up production and
strengthening the UK's clean energy supply chain
- Isle of Wight to be at the forefront of onshore wind
innovation, leading the UK's mission to take back
control of its energy with clean, homegrown power
Hundreds of skilled jobs on the Isle of Wight have been saved
thanks to partnership between government and Vestas, to establish
the UK's only onshore wind blade manufacturing site on the
island.
The government has today (Wednesday 28 January)
confirmed a £20 million grant to safeguard more than 300 jobs at
the Vestas factory in Newport, which has been on the island
for more than 20 years.
In 2024, the future of the factory was uncertain, after demand
for the specific offshore blades previously made there came to an
end, and logistical constraints meant the Danish manufacturer
could not produce the next generation of larger offshore blades.
Energy Secretary intervened quickly, with an agreement in principle
for the factory to switch its operations to become the country's
only onshore wind blade manufacturing site. This action was made
possible through the government's lifting of the onshore wind
ban, revitalising an industry that had been stagnant for almost a
decade.
Today's grant funding delivers on that agreement, with millions
flowing into the Isle of Wight to secure the future of the
factory, protect jobs and position the island as a
pioneer in the clean energy technologies of the future.
Securing the long-term viability of the site is a major boost for
the government's clean power by 2030 mission, with the Isle
of Wight now also firmly anchored into Britain's modern
industrial strategy. This will rebuild domestic manufacturing,
strengthen energy security and support growth
in onshore wind, which is needed to end the UK's
dependency on volatile fossil fuel markets and bring down
bills for good.
Climate Minister said:
It was a no-brainer to save the Vestas factory on the
Isle of Wight and create
the country's only dedicated onshore wind blade
facility. Onshore wind is one of our cheapest and fastest
technologies to build, it supports thousands of skilled jobs, and
it delivers clean energy directly to the communities that host
it.
While our thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs, by
safeguarding over 300 roles, we are protecting one of the
Isle of Wight's largest employers and giving Britain the ability
to produce the homegrown, clean power we need to bring bills down
for good.
Ken Kaser, Senior Vice President Blades Manufacturing, at Vestas
said:
Vestas and the Isle of Wight have a long, proud history of
manufacturing world class wind turbine blades. We are delighted
to partner with government on actions and policy
that supports skilled jobs, strengthens the UK's supply
chain, and positions the site at the heart of the country's clean
energy sector's future.
Onshore wind is one of the easiest and cheapest technologies to
build and will supply British homes and businesses with clean,
secure homegrown power that ends a reliance on volatile fossil
fuel markets – all part of the mission to get bills down for
good.
After years of decline, the government has given industry the
tools through the ‘Onshore Wind Strategy'
to build onshore wind, supporting up to 45,000 skilled jobs
across the country by 2030 – in
engineering, construction and operations
maintenance.
