The world's biggest wind turbine blades will be made in Britain, the government announced yesterday as it unveiled a multimillion-pound investment in the industry. Energy and Climate Secretary Ed Miliband said grants will be given to three offshore wind energy companies, which will help create new jobs.
The minister said £4.4 million will be given to Clipper Windpower of North East England to develop their first prototype 70-metre blade for a project to build the largest wind turbines in the world.
Artemis Intelligent Power will be given £1 million to transfer their existing technology from automotive to wind energy and Siemens Wind Power will receive £1.1 million to develop the next generation power convertors for their larger offshore turbine.
Mr Miliband said: "With strong government backing, the UK is consolidating its lead in offshore wind energy. We already have more offshore wind energy than any other country, we have the biggest wind farm in the world about to start construction, and now we'll see the biggest turbine blades in the world made here in Britain.
"Our coastline means the offshore wind industry has the potential to employ tens of thousands of workers by 2020, manufacturing, transporting, installing and operating new turbines.
"It will take an active government to get us there and the funds I'm announcing today are part of the £120 million investment we are making this year and next in the wind industry to make that happen."
Clipper will develop blades which will be more than 70 metres long and weigh over 30 tonnes.
The blades are part of the turbines that will stand 175 metres and the project will initially employ 60 people by the end of next year.
James Dehlsen, chairman of Clipper Windpower, said the grant was "timely" and would help speed up its Britannia project.
The Britannia project is set to be developed at a new facility which Clipper expects to occupy on the River Tyne.
Waverley Cameron, Chairman of Artemis Intelligent Power, said: "This kind of targeted support by government enables small research and development companies like Artemis to develop the breakthrough technologies needed to bring Britain to the forefront of the low carbon revolution."
Andreas Goss, chief executive officer of Siemens, said: "Siemens is committed to developing the technology and infrastructure to enable wind power to make a major contribution to the UK's energy needs and help government meet the 2020 targets.