Humber 'on course to become green energy powerhouse'

Unite hailed the news that a wind turbine manufacturing in the Humber region will see significant expansion as the government commits to financial support.

Wind manufacturers Siemens Gamesa and GRI Renewable Industries will both receive government grants from a £160m government fund. In turn, the companies themselves have committed to investing £266m combined into expanded their operations.

Commenting on the news, Unite assistant general secretary Steve Turner said, “This is welcome news for the communities along the Humber. It sets the region on course to become a powerhouse in renewable energy manufacturing and helps repair the damage done by decades of industrial decline and neglect.

“As well as creating the new GRI Renewable Industries wind turbine factory and 260 jobs, the investment will also expand Siemens Gamesa’s operations, generating 1,000 new jobs and securing the long-term future of the ones the Siemens’ Hull plant currently supports,” he added.

“Our members at Siemens deserve this investment. They will be relieved that UK turbine manufacture is at last being expanded, something Unite called for years ago.

“Had that happened, the turbines for the world’s largest coastal wind farm, situated on the Dogger Bank off the East Yorkshire coast, would not have had to be imported,” Turner continued.

“This is good news, but we must remember that the climate emergency is the greatest challenge of our time and much more needs to be done.

“Working with industry and unions, government must provide the country with a comprehensive plan of a scale not seen in 75 years to ensure we leave no worker or community behind on our transition to a green economy.”

By Ryan Fletcher