Vestas ponders offshore wind blades factory in Scotland

Denmark’s Vestas Wind Systems A/S (CPH:VWS) is mulling over the possibility of building an offshore wind turbine blade factory on one of the three tax sites of a newly-opened green freeport in Edinburgh, Scotland.

As widely reported, Vestas has submitted last week a Proposal of Application Notice (PAN) to the City of Edinburgh Council for its plan that concerns the Leith port area. The scheme includes a laydown area and ancillary development.

When contacted by Renewables Now, a spokesperson confirmed the information but stressed that this is just a pre-planning notice. “The UK’s offshore wind sector has strong potential, and Vestas has identified the Port of Leith as a possible location for a wind turbine blade manufacturing facility. A final investment decision has not been made and will be based on several factors including the viability of the business case and the market outlook,” the representative stated.

Meanwhile, Wednesday is the day on which the Forth Green Freeport (FGF) officially opened for business. Its three tax sites located in Grangemouth, Rosyth, Mid-Forth (Leith and Burntisland) will provide businesses operating within the zone with certain tax-related incentives. It is said to be of interest to Vestas as a possible location for its proposed blade factory.

With the goal of supporting the re-industrialisation of Central Scotland, FGF will focus on the key target sectors of offshore wind, hydrogen, sustainable fuels, modular manufacturing and logistics, a press statement says.

“Through innovations in offshore wind manufacturing, assembly and commissioning, alongside innovative shipbuilding, modular assembly and hydrogen manufacture, the country’s net zero targets can be boosted by Forth Green Freeport,” commented Dame Susan Rice DBE, Chair of Forth Green Freeport.

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