Contractor appointed to wind turbine blade factory development

SIEMENS has appointed leading contractor VolkerFitzpatrick to build its wind turbine blade factory in Hull.

Construction on the 40,000 sq m facility will begin next month, with the factory scheduled to be completed in autumn 2016, to allow for the production of the first blades by the end of 2016.

Around 200 jobs will be created during construction.

The facility will accommodate the manufacture of 75-metre turbine blades and the assembly, maintenance, storage and distribution of wind turbine components. The contract also involves the construction of office accommodation and welfare facilities.

Shaun Cray, Siemens’ general manager, real estate and construction for the Hull project, said “VolkerFitzpatrick presented the most competitive and robust bid, with strong environmental and health and safety processes, a highly experienced project team and track record to deliver the project.

“A further key factor in VolkerFitzpatrick’s selection is their commitment to a significant proportion of local and regional suppliers and sub-contractors, with the entire supply chain within the UK.

“In addition, they have a strong record of performance with Siemens, having delivered rail depot projects for us in the UK. We can trust them to deliver a facility of the highest quality on time and on budget.”

VolkerFitzpatrick is a multi-disciplinary civil engineering and construction group with an annual turnover of £400m, it is currently undertaking works to strengthen the Albert Dock wall along the Humber in Hull and improving flood defences in Cleethorpes and Grimsby, projects which form part of the Environment Agency’s asset recovery programme to repair damage caused by extreme weather during winter 2013/14.

Siemens’ Hull project director Finbarr Dowling said: “We are delighted to have signed the contract for construction of the blade factory, which is another significant milestone for the project.

“People will soon see steel rising from the ground and be able to observe our progress as this state-of-the-art facility takes shape.”

With partner Associated British Ports (ABP), Siemens is investing £310m in the Hull project – the city’s biggest ever inward investment. Siemens will employ around 1,000 people on the site, the majority within the blade factory.