Engineering giant Siemens entered into an agreement today to work with Associated British Ports (ABP) on the development of an offshore turbine manufacturing and export facility in Hull.

The memorandum of understanding commits the two companies to develop plans for the new facility as part of ABP’s proposed Green Port at Alexandra Dock, with a more binding agreement to follow later in the year.

Siemens confirmed last autumn that it would invest in a new facility in the UK following the Coalition Government’s commitment to support the redevelopment of the country’s ports to facilitate an expansion of offshore wind.

At the time, Siemens said it was looking at the east or north east coast, but did not specify a location for its new facility.

Ultimately, Siemens’ new turbine factory, in which the company reputedly plans in invest around £80 million, could create 700 new jobs in the region.

Siemens decision will also mean that ABP’s Hull development could benefit from around £20 million in Government funds for port upgrades.

ABP has plans for a deepwater berth at Alexandra Dock able to handle the new generation of large offshore wind turbines.

For further information:
www.siemens.co.uk
www.abports.co.uk/

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