Renewable energy giant Siemens Gamesa will establish the first offshore wind turbine blade factory in the US. This move further cements the company’s position as one of the leading companies in renewable energy in North America.
Siemens will build an 80 acres facility at the Portsmouth Marine Terminal in Portsmouth, Virginia. This development will cost more than $200 million and create about 260 jobs performing the finishing of Siemens Gamesa Offshore IntegralBlades.
This project will come after Siemens executes a firm order for the 2.6 GW Coastal Virginia Offshore Wind Commercial Project with Dominion Energy. Siemens aims to create 50 jobs for servicing the installation.
In addition, Siemens has agreed to lease land from Virginia Port Authority, with incentives from Virginia, and facilitate deliveries to the Offshore Wind Commercial Project.
Portsmouth Marine Terminal will transform into an offshore wind hub when Siemens begins manufacturing in the area. There is a promise of more to come as Siemens will potentially expand the facility if it gets more energy contracts in the region.
According to Steve Dayney, Siemens Gamesa’s Head of North America, “..this facility evidences that offshore wind can create significant new manufacturing activity and quality jobs to American communities..”
Stephen A. Edwards, the CEO and executive director of the Virginia Port Authority said, “The Port of Virginia is proud to be able to help with the development of an entirely new industry that will spur job growth, drive our economy and create the US East Coast’s offshore-wind logistics hub right here in Portsmouth…”
Governor Ralph S. Northam applauded the project, saying, “Virginians want renewable energy, our employers want it, and Virginia is delivering it. The Commonwealth is joining these leading companies to create the most important clean-energy partnership in the United States”