Wind turbine manufacturer Mitsubishi has signaled its intention to invest millions of pounds in an offshore research and development (R&D) project in Britain, potentially leading to a UK manufacturing base and the creation of more than a 1000 'green' jobs.
Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe (MPSE) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the UK Government today expressing its desire to invest up to £100 million in the new
offshore wind turbine project, which would create up to 200 jobs and a new Mitsubishi R&D centre, as well pay for the assembling, testing and the development of second and third generation offshore wind turbine technology. The MoU is non-binding, but is backed by £30 million of UK Government grants.
The announcement follows confirmation
last week by US manufacturer Clipper Windpower that it is to go ahead and build a factory to manufacture the world's largest
wind turbine blade in the UK, potentially employing up to 500 people.
Both developments are being described as important steps in the UK Government’s plans
to create a domestic wind turbine industry for the offshore market.
In January, the Crown Estate's Round Three offshore wind licensing programme was unveiled, which the Government believes will create one of the biggest offshore wind markets in the world. It is expected to deliver up to 32 gigawatts of renewable energy in British waters – amounting to the deployment of 6,000 wind turbines by 2020 and creating up to 70,000 jobs.
Start of UK offshore wind "leadership" in manufacturing"This decision by Mitsubishi is a sign that the UK is starting to turn its leadership in offshore wind generation into leadership in
manufacturing," said Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband, who signed today’s MoU with Business Secretary Peter Mandelson following discussions with Mitusbishi executives on Monday. “It is another step to turning Britain into a leading green manufacturing centre.”
Today, Mandelson and Miliband also announced a further £18.5 million of funding for the
new open access offshore wind testing facility at Narec in Blyth in the North East of England, the opening of which was announced earlier this month.
The site will act as a
technology demonstration and development platform for the next generation of large multi-megawatt offshore wind turbines. It also complements Government support for a blade test facility in the North East that will enable the testing of blades up to 100 metres in length.
Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: “I’m delighted that we are also supporting the wind test site in the North East. Coming on top of funding for Narec announced in the Pre-Budget Report, it further strengthens the North East’s position as a leader in the offshore wind farm sector.
He added: "Mitsubishi's investment in wind turbine R&D and the creation of 200 highly skilled jobs is great news for our future plans in low carbon, high technology industries. The UK is now well placed to manufacture the turbines needed for the next generation of offshore wind farms. We will continue to work with Mitsubishi to secure production in the UK."
Mitsubishi ship building may also enter UK offshore wind sectorIn a joint statement, MPSE senior executive vice president Ichiro Fukue and ceo Akio Fukui described today’s announcement as an “exciting opportunity for the development of world-class offshore wind technology in the UK”. They said Mitsubishi Heavy Industries’ ship building division was also interested in entering the offshore wind installation and operation and maintenance vessel market.
“We look forward to further growing our offshore wind business with UK-based partner and
supply chain businesses from 2010, bringing much needed competition into the offshore wind turbine supply market, and economic benefit to the UK,” they added.
Related news:Renewables newsGreen manufacturing newsGreen technology newsGreen R&D newsRelated links:www.narec.co.ukwww.mhi.co.jp