Offshore wind will create 70,000 “green jobs”, the government said on Monday, as hundreds of millions of pounds of planned investments in turbine manufacturing were confirmed.

The investments by companies including General Electric, Siemens and Gamesa of Spain had been in doubt as the coalition considered whether to continue with support promised by Labour ministers.

David Cameron said £60m of spending earmarked for upgrading British ports to make them suitable for handling large offshore turbines would go ahead.

“I want us to be a world leader in offshore wind energy,” he said, announcing the national infrastructure plan. “We are making these investments so that major manufacturers will decide that this is the place they want to come and build their offshore wind turbines. This investment is good for jobs and growth, and good for ensuring we have clean energy.”

GE will invest £100m in a manufacturing plant, creating about 1,900 jobs by 2020. Jeff Immelt, chief executive, who visited Downing Street on Monday, said: “The UK has ample offshore wind resources that can provide clean energy for the UK as well as providing new, high-skill jobs for both GE and our suppliers in the UK.

“We . . . reinforce the importance of the government continuing to create long-term certainty for offshore wind manufacturers and developers by committing to a sustainable financial structure.”

Gamesa will spend €150m (£133m) setting up its worldwide centre for offshore wind in Britain, including a research and development centre and a turbine-manufacturing plant, generating 1,000 jobs, with another 800 indirectly at local suppliers.

Siemens announced an £80m plan for a turbine factory, creating 700 jobs at a site in the east or north-east.

The spending on ports was vital to securing the wind investment. During the summer, Siemens told the Financial Times it was unlikely to continue with its plans without this reassurance.

Gordon Edge of RenewableUK, the wind industry body, said: “This is a great day for the UK’s wind industry. We are set to realise the full potential of offshore wind both in terms of energy and job creation, and are happy that the government has shown vision and drive over this issue.”
source: www.ft.com