Southampton is a step closer to hosting a brand new wind turbine factory, after the City Council last week approved planning permission for a new manufacturing plant on the site of a former shipyard.
Southampton-based firm Oceanic Estates wants to redevelop the former Vosper Thornycroft shipyard into a turbine factory, with British manufacturers Blade Dynamics – which was bought by GE in 2015 – earmarked as the firm to move its operations into the new plant.
Under the plans, turbines would be manufactured at the site 24 hours a day, with up to 150 jobs created. Finished blades would then be loaded directly onto ships in readiness for installation at offshore wind farm sites.
Southampton City Council approved the plans last week despite concerns over noise levels from local residents.
Speaking at the meeting, Oceanic Estates’ director Harry Hutchinson said the site would create long-term employment and a “world-class composite, design and manufacturing facility”, according to the Southern Daily Echo.
Source: businessgreen.com
