Vestas has received backing from the UK Government as part of its plans to repurpose its Isle of Wight factory, rather than shutting it down.
The Isle of Wight factory has been producing components for offshore wind farms for more than 20 years, but under plans announced by Vestas, the site will transition to making blades for onshore wind farms instead.
It comes as a relief for workers at the factory, who had been told in 2024 that the site was to be repurposed due to a reduction in the demand for the offshore wind farm components produced at the site. That’s because many buyers had pivoted to buying newer generation offshore blades, which were larger and could not be easily produced at the facility located in Newport, Isle of Wight.
As part of a deal between Vestas and the UK Government, more than 300 jobs have been safeguarded at the site. In return, Vestas will receive a £20 million grant to support the site’s transition to onshore wind blade manufacturing. Unfortunately, the site previously supported 600 jobs – so there will still be a reduction in the total number of people employed.
While demand for onshore wind farms wasn’t exactly booming under the previous Conservative Government, it has seen a resurgence since Ed Miliband lifted a de facto ban on their construction. That should help induce demand for the Vestas site in Newport, as it will be the UK’s only dedicated onshore wind blade plant.
Katie White, the UK’s Climate Minister, noted, “It was a no-brainer to save the Vestas factory on the Isle of Wight and create the country’s only dedicated onshore wind blade facility. Onshore wind is one of our cheapest and fastest technologies to build, it supports thousands of skilled jobs, and it delivers clean energy directly to the communities that host it.
“While our thoughts are with those who have lost their jobs, by safeguarding over 300 roles, we are protecting one of the Isle of Wight’s largest employers and giving Britain the ability to produce the homegrown, clean power we need to bring bills down for good.”
Ken Kaser, Senior Vice President Blades Manufacturing, at Vestas added, “Vestas and the Isle of Wight have a long, proud history of manufacturing world class wind turbine blades. We are delighted to partner with the government on actions and policy that supports skilled jobs, strengthens the UK’s supply chain, and positions the site at the heart of the country’s clean energy sector’s future.
“Onshore wind is one of the easiest and cheapest technologies to build and will supply British homes and businesses with clean, secure homegrown power that ends a reliance on volatile fossil fuel markets – all part of the mission to get bills down for good.”
