70,000 JOBS FOR UK OCEAN WIND

Go-ahead for wind to generate 70,000 jobs
Fiona Harvey, October 25, 2010 (Financial Times)

"Offshore wind will create 70,000 ‘green jobs’…as hundreds of millions of pounds of planned investments in turbine manufacturing were confirmed [by the UK government, securing pending]…investments by companies including General Electric, Siemens and Gamesa of Spain…

"David Cameron said £60m of spending earmarked for upgrading British ports to make them suitable for handling large offshore turbines would go ahead…GE will invest £100m in a manufacturing plant, creating about 1,900 jobs by 2020…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."

Tens of thousands of UK jobs will land in the UK at ports like these preparing to make a massive expansion of offshore wind possbile. (click to enlarge)

"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, RenewableUK:] “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.”