Hull’s blade plant director has told regional stakeholders how the majority shareholder’s proposed buy-out of Siemens Gamesa will “only strengthen” the business’s ability to help the UK in its energy transition aims.
The Spanish National Securities Market Commission has approved Siemens Energy’s purchase of the 33 per cent of the business it doesn’t already own, with a de-listing of the entity from the Madrid exchange anticipated in February next year.
Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy was the result of a merger between Siemens Wind Power and Gamesa - the Spanish onshore wind specialist that emerged out of a Seventies aerospace entity - back in April 2017, as the Green Port manufacturing site emerged on the Humber Bank. It is going from strength to strength, with major expansion and recruitment soon to begin.
Read more: Project completions delight in stellar year for Humber offshore wind cluster as pipeline grows
Plant director Andy Sykes said: "The decision to acquire SGRE is intended to unlock the potential of both companies to become leading forces in the energy transition and support the turnaround of SGRE’s financial situation, while building momentum for the transformation of both into the world’s most valuable energy technology company.
“For our UK interests, this combined business, with historical roots in the UK’s industrial history, will only strengthen our ability to help the UK in its energy transition aims,” he said. “For Hull specifically, there will be no impact on the plans for our offshore wind turbine blade factory and its ongoing extensions, wit the new larger blade production due to start at the end of the year; further, we continue to honour our other wind turbine development, project and service commitments and meet the needs of the growing industry both onshore and offshore.”
Teams are embedded with clients like Orsted and RWE for initial operating periods as the giant structures are commissioned.
The go-ahead from the Spanish authorities last week means the voluntary purchase of the shares can begin, with a 36-day acceptance period factored in for the firm, headquartered in Zamudio. It is one of the biggest industrial companies in the Ibex 35 blue-chip index there. 18.05 Euros a share is being offered.
In Hull, the facility located on Sir William Siemens Way at Alexandra Dock is currently having its footprint doubled with a further 41,000 sq m added as it scales up to handle the demands of the industry.
Mr Sykes said: “The expansion is to support the development of bigger wind turbine blades and is a true reward for the hard work of our team which has earned the position as one of the most efficient and successful across the Siemens Gamesa global family of manufacturing facilities.
“In addition these, we have experienced a positive last 12 months, nationally recognised for several awards, celebrated our first milestone for long-service employees at the plant, hosted a variety of external visits including politicians and media outlets, and most recently we reached the major milestone of manufacturing our 2,000th blade, the perfect way to mark our growth and steps into the next stage of the factory.
“Aligned with our own values, we are also proud to have manufactured the first recyclable offshore wind farm turbine blades, which were recently delivered and installed in a project in Europe.”
Recognising the role as a large employer in Hull, Mr Sykes said he was keen to recognise his team and the support received from city partners, as “it is down to their support, hard work and determination that has enabled us to grow the factory, to make it bigger and ultimately to grow.”
“During 2023 we will begin the process of recruiting new members to our team, all to support the introduction and manufacture of larger turbine blades. As before we will be promoting these opportunities locally and hope to continue to attract the best people to join our successful team.
“We look forward to working with partners to ensure that we can continue to build a strong talent pipeline in the Humber region, whilst working toward our Net Zero initiatives.
“This is an exciting time for all of us in the Hull Blade Factory.”
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