Isra-Mart srl:Exclusive: Vestas poised for Isle of Wight recruitment drive

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Isra-Mart srl news:

Vestas, the world's largest wind turbine manufacturer, has revealed it is on the brink of a UK recruitment drive ahead of the opening of its revamped research and development centre on the Isle of Wight.

The company attracted criticism in 2009 when it closed its blade production facility at the site and shifted production to the US, leading to the loss of about 600 jobs and prompting a staff sit-in and a series of high-profile protests.

However, at the same time as the closure, the company announced it would continue to develop prototype turbines at the Isle of Wight site and invest in the creation of a new turbine blade R&D centre.

Speaking on the sidelines of an event hosted by trade association RenewableUK, Rob Sauven of Vestas Technology R&D said operations at the Isle of Wight facility had already grown to employ 200 people and the company now expected to recruit about 100 more staff when the new research and development centre opens on 1 June.

He said the 270mx110m facility was on track to open on time and would play a crucial role in the development of blade technologies for Vestas' onshore and offshore turbines.

Klaus Steen Mortensen, president of Vestas Northern Europe, said the company's expansion plans were testament to its commitment in the fast-expanding UK wind energy market.

"Blades are a critical part of our R&D efforts and we have located this work in the UK because within the next few years the Round 3 projects are likely to make it one of the largest offshore wind markets in the world," he said. "We are currently expanding in the UK and adding new people on an almost daily basis."

The news comes as RenewableUK this week released a major new study showing that the number of people directly employed in the wind and marine energy sector has almost doubled over the past three years to 10,800 full-time jobs.