Vestas, the world’s largest wind turbine manufacturer, has revealed it is on the brink of a UK recruitment drive to employ staff at it’s revamped research and development centre, that is being built in Stag Lane, Newport Isle of Wight.
Vestas bosses attracted worldwide criticism in 2009 when it closed a blade production facility and moved the whole operation to the United States with the loss of over 650 jobs. About twenty staff prompted a staff sit-in and a series of high-profile protests that was covered by Island, national and international media. No charges were ever brought.
Many of the workers lost their redundancy pay.
During the high profile sit in, the company announced it would continue to develop prototype turbines on the Isle of Wight and invest in the creation of a new turbine blade R&D centre.
Rob Sauven said: “Operations at the facility are growing and we are on target to open on June 1,2011, we already employs 200 people and in the near future, a further 100 more staff will be needed.”
Klaus Steen Mortensen, president of Vestas Northern Europe, said the company’s expansion plans were testament to its commitment to the fast-expanding UK wind energy market.
“Blades are a critical part of our R&D efforts and we have located this work in the UK because within the next few years the Round 3 projects are likely to make it one of the largest offshore wind markets in the world,” he said. “We are currently expanding in the UK and adding new people on an almost daily basis.”
