Vestas Pull Plug On Sheerness Plant Plans

Readers may remember that back in May 2011, we reported that wind turbine company Vestas, had received planning permission for a new plant in Sheerness, Kent.

Sheerness Plans:The company anticipated that a whopping 2,000 jobs would be created at the new plant.

Sadly for those looking forward to a career in the renewable energy market, we hear that Vestas have decided to axe plans to build the plant.

“Will not proceed at this stage”
The reason for the decision is not clear, but in a statement the Port of Sheerness and Vestas said, “The Port of Sheerness and Vestas have jointly announced that further development of a Vestas facility at the port will not proceed at this stage. Port of Sheerness and Vestas thank both the local council and community for their great co-operation to date.”

Juan Araluce, chief sales officer at Vestas Wind Systems said, “Vestas’ strong commitment to the development of both the offshore and onshore wind industries is not affected by this decision.

Readers may remember that at the time of the 2011 Sheerness announcement, Vestas offshore president Anders Søe-Jensen said that Vestas “would only make a final investment if the government can offer market and regulatory certainty from a transparent, long-term and stable policy framework, and investment support to reduce the risk and cost of building such a large facility.”

Vestas R&D Division is based on the Isle of Wight and employed around 450 people.