As part of its production optimization efforts, thorough evaluations have reportedly shown that the products for which the factory was designed and streamlined do not generate satisfactory earnings. Vestas has been producing wind turbine towers in Campbeltown since 2002.
Vestas also has decided to invest in a new blade technology center on the Isle of Wight, UK, where Vestas has manufactured blades since 2000. In addition to blade design activities, the center will provide facilities for testing the world’s longest wind turbine blades. The new development center will enable co-location of the engineering team with dedicated prototype facilities and is expected to become operational in the second quarter of 2010.
Concurrent with the construction of the new R&D center, Vestas has decided to change its current blade production on the Isle of Wight from blades for its V82 turbine, to 44m blades for the V90 turbines, in 2010.
In recent years, the entire Isle of Wight production has been exported to the US, but following the change in production a large number of blades are expected to be sold to the UK market as the V90-2MW and 3MW turbines are reportedly suited for both the onshore and offshore sectors.
Finn Madsen, president of Vestas Technology R&D, said: Vestas is very committed to the UK market and has been present from the very start of wind energy in Great Britain. We are also very pleased that the British government now has recognized this and will ensure that wind power will contribute significantly to the fulfillment of UK’s European 15% target for renewables towards 2020.
