The UK government has provided a £20m grant to support the continued operation of a Vestas blade factory on the Isle of Wight.
The site in Newport will be transitioned to a base for manufacturing onshore turbine blades having previously fabricated components for offshore units.
The plant, which has been operating on the island for more than 20 years and had employed around 600 people, had been at risk of closure as demand for the V174 offshore turbine slowed and logistical constraints prevented its use for next-generation offshore blades.
Vestas and the UK government agreed in late 2024 to repurpose the factory to cater to the UK’s onshore wind market and retain about 300 workers.
Energy department DESNZ said the grant allocation “delivers on that agreement” and will “secure the future of the factory”.
“Securing the long-term viability of the site is a major boost for the government’s clean power by 2030 mission, with the Isle of Wight now also firmly anchored into Britain’s modern industrial strategy,” it added.
Vestas senior vice president for blades manufacturing Ken Kaser said: “Vestas and the Isle of Wight have a long, proud history of manufacturing world class wind turbine blades.
“We are delighted to partner with 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.”
UK climate minister Katie White added: “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.”