Vattenfall, CS Wind form UK team

CS Wind UK and Vattenfall will sign today a memorandum of understanding to co-operate on potential supply contracts in Britain.

The companies said they will commit to co-operate over future contract and supply opportunities for Vattenfall’s UK development pipeline, which will require more than 100 towers in Scotland alone.

The agreement comes a day before the wind tower manufacturer breaks ground on a £27m investment to expand its Machrihanish facility in Scotland.

South Korea’s CS Wind, which bought the plant in April, will increase its production volume for onshore wind and start manufacturing towers for offshore projects.

It will be Britain’s first factory to commercially produce offshore wind towers, according to the companies.

Vattenfall will give CS Wind UK the opportunity to tender for tower supply contracts for its future onshore wind farm projects and will discuss opportunities for offshore plants.

“This MoU with Vattenfall is another strong signal that UK manufacturers and suppliers have an important part to play in the development of windfarm projects,” CS Wind head of UK sales Lesley Black said.

“It is encouraging that developers like Vattenfall who are looking to develop projects in the UK are using UK suppliers where possible for large components and thereby, securing jobs and a long term future for the local economies.”

Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom said: “We are building a strong, competitive UK supply chain to support our world leading offshore wind industry.

“Businesses now have greater certainty than ever before thanks to government’s £730m of support for renewables.

“CS Wind is a great example of how this newfound certainty can drive local jobs and growth through the UK supply chain.”

Image: Vattenfall