Government welcomes Siemens £80m plans to bring offshore wind production to the UK

The government today welcomed Siemens plans to invest £80m in the UK for offshore wind production facilities, following the government's Budget announcement of £60m for a competition to develop manufacturing and assembly sites sites for the offshore wind industry.

Business secretary Lord Mandelson said: "Siemens is a world leader in wind technology and this is a fantastic endorsement of the UK as a destination for renewable energy businesses. Siemens plans will provide hundreds of manufacturing jobs and many more in the supply chain - confirming the UK as a world leader in offshore wind."

Energy secretary Ed Miliband said: "This is a vote of confidence from one of the foremost companies in the offshore wind sector, looking to set up a base in the UK. More proof that we're exploiting the great natural resource that we have and creating the right conditions to attract investment. Siemens' investment will help create jobs and help us meet our renewable energy targets."

Siemens is the latest offshore wind manufacturer to announce plans for investment in the UK. Clipper has committed to build the world's biggest wind turbines employing up to 500 people; Mitsubishi intend to invest up to £100m in an offshore wind R&D facility, creating up to 200 jobs; and last week GE announced a €110m investment which the company believes will create up to 1900 jobs.