Siemens Gamesa has started manufacturing both its patented offshore Direct Drive wind turbine nacelles and IntegralBlades at its new factory in Le Havre, France (pictured).
The world’s first facility to encompass both offshore wind turbine nacelle and blade manufacturing under one roof, it is the largest industrial renewable energy project in France, Siemens Gamesa said.
A dedicated installation hub is also under finalisation on the same plot, allowing direct load out of wind turbine components to French offshore wind power plants, the Spanish manufacturer revealed.
In Le Havre, the first 500 positions out of the 750 total direct and indirect jobs to be created have been filled, Siemens Gamesa added.
The remaining 250 positions are expected to be filled between the end of calendar year 2022 and early 2023.
Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit Marc Becker said: “Producing our first offshore wind power components in Le Havre is electrifying.
“This investment serves as a major driver of the economic growth story in Normandy and in the French offshore wind industry.
“With the world’s first offshore nacelle and blade factory under one roof, we can unlock the power of wind for our customers and the people of France.
“We are energized to lead the way, especially coupled with solid orders and the government’s recent French Offshore Sector Deal.”
Furthermore, Siemens Gamesa and local partners UIMM Le Havre, AFPI, and AFPA have created a dedicated training centre for new employees and the new offshore wind specific competencies that are needed.
This investment in people is the first training centre in France solely dedicated to the production of wind turbine nacelles and blades, Siemens Gamesa said.
Siemens Gamesa France managing director Filippo Cimitan said: “The first nacelles and blades headed for the Bay of Saint Brieuc and the Fecamp projects are tangible proof of the power of commitment to renewable energy in France.
“The French Offshore Sector Deal recently signed by the French Government commits to 18GW to be installed by 2035 and for awards growing from 2GW per year from 2025 onwards.
“The growth path is crystal clear. We look very much forward to executing our strong French offshore order pipeline with components from the plant.
“The growing market opportunity and public commitments secure the long-term prospects for our new colleagues.”
Siemens Gamesa has approximately 2.5GW of capacity currently announced in France.
This includes orders for the 496MW Bay of Saint Brieuc project, the 497MW Fecamp project, the 448MW Calvados (formerly Courseulles-sur-Mer) project, and the 24MW Provence Grand Large floating offshore wind power project.
Preferred supplier agreements include the 496MW Yeu Noirmoutier project and the 496MW Dieppe le Tréport project.
The projects will in total use both Siemens Gamesa 7MW and 8MW offshore Direct Drive nacelles, as well as 75-metre long B75 blades and 81-metre long B81 blades.