Mitsibushi signs MoU with UK Government for offshore wind turbine project

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson and Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Miliband signed a non binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Mitsubishi Power Systems Europe Ltd (MPSE). The company intends to invest up to £100 million in an offshore wind turbine project in the UK. This will create up to 200 highly skilled jobs.The Government is working with MPSE, and is intending to provide grants of up to £30 million to support the project. This follows on from extensive work with MPSE and discussions that the company had with Lord Mandelson and Ed Miliband at the Global Investors conference hosted by the Prime Minister in London on Monday arranged by UK Trade and Investment (UKTI).

The site, off the coast near the New and Renewable Energy Centre (Narec) in Blyth, will act as a technology demonstration and development platform for the next generation of large multi-megawatt offshore wind turbines. It also complements Government support for a blade test facility in the North East that will enable the testing of blades up to 100m in length. These world-leading testing facilities will make the UK a prime location for companies such as Mitsubishi.

Exciting times for renewable energy in the UK, and a good jobs boost for the North East. It's great to see investment like this in the technologies of the future.

Full release is here http://nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx?ClientId=431&NewsAreaId=2&ReleaseID=411558&SubjectId=36