Vestas pushes ahead with UK offshore plant

Vestas has taken a giant stride in pushing ahead with its plans to build a major manufacturing site on Sheppey after submitting a planning application to the local council.

The firm says it intends to create 2,000 jobs by building the facility at the Port of Sheerness.

Planning application
Swale Borough Council has now received the planning application which, once complete, would make it one of the largest manufacturing facilities of its type in Europe.

The site would be involved in the assembly of the huge turbines and the blade manufacturing for Vestas’ new offshore wind turbine.

2,000 new jobs
It is anticipated the facility, when fully operational, could create around 2000 new jobs, direct and indirect, in the local and wider area.

The project is moving ahead
Andrew Bowles, leader of Swale Borough Council, said: “This is a really exciting project and we are tremendously pleased that the planning application has been submitted because it shows the project is moving ahead.

Making this project a reality
Lars Eriksen, chief project manager from Vestas, said: “The planning application is a significant milestone which brings us a step closer towards making this project a reality. Subject to planning consent and a satisfactory order pipeline for the V164-7.0 MW turbine, our aim will be to move into the construction phase as quickly as possible, so as to be in a position to begin operations in 2015.”

A decision is expected by the end of May.

Read also Metal Supply's related article Vestas secures land in the UK for major future developments.