Turbine factory creates 2,000 jobs

A NEW wind turbine blade factory in Hull has created more than 2,000 jobs, according to a new report.

The £310m joint investment between ABP and Siemens Gamesa at the port’s Alexandra Dock created 1,063 jobs, with potential for 627 supporting jobs, a study by the University of Hull’s Logistics Institute found.

The research concluded that for every £1 invested in the factory which opened just over a year ago, an extra 47 pence would be generated in the disposable income of the local economy.

In addition Green Port Hull, a partnership established to promote the region to the renewable energy sector, said a further 1,282 jobs had been created in the local supply chain.

The development had also supported more than 560 local businesses, developed 445 hectares of land and attracted £19m public-sector investment and £115m from the private sector.

Head of business development at Siemens Gamesa Ray Thompson said: “What the report shows is despite the challenges, the Hull and Humber region is on track to become one of the UK’s leading clusters within the sector and with offshore wind set to form an important part of our nation’s electricity system going forward, there is great potential for more supply chain opportunities and further growth.”

Hull Council’s portfolio holder for regeneration Coun Martin Mancey said the investment had been a “gamechanger”.

He added: “Unemployment is at its lowest on record and Green Port Hull, alongside with UK City of Culture, have been the major influences on these positive trends.

“Investments from the private sector such as RB and Smith and Nephew have also contributed to changing the fortune of the city dramatically.”