The company is due to begin construction in the autumn to have two sites near Hull up and running by 2016.
Investing £160m, it is hoped the Siemens’ deal will create 1,000 jobs in the sector further cementing the UK’s position as a world leader in offshore wind construction and technology.
The UK has 22 offshore wind farms currently operational (3.6GW), 5 under construction, 9 with planning consent and 9 awaiting approval (a further 14.7GW).
Energy secretary Ed Davey said: “This deal is excellent news for the people of Hull and the Humber, the UK, the wind industry, and our energy security. We are attracting investment by backing enterprise with better infrastructure and lower taxes. As well as helping to keep the lights on and putting more than 1,000 people in work, this deal means we will help to keep consumer bills down as we invest in home-grown green energy and reduce our reliance on foreign imports.
“This deal shows our strategy for offshore wind is working; bringing investment, green jobs and growth, and helping keep Britain the number one country in the world for offshore wind.”
RenewableUK’s chief executive, Maria McCaffery, said: “This is a major coup for the British wind industry – it’s the green-collar jobs game-changer that we’ve been waiting for. Attracting a major international company like Siemens to the UK, creating 1,000 jobs manufacturing turbines at two sites in Yorkshire, proves that we can bring the industrial benefits of offshore wind to Britain. This is just the start – where Siemens are leading, a cascade of others will follow – and we’ll see very significant growth in the UK supply chain.”
UK Green Investment Bank (GIB) chief executive, Shaun Kingsbury, said: “The UK’s wind industry, although young, is maturing quickly. It has a key role to play in supporting the UK’s economic growth as well as its future energy needs. Today’s announcement is another step towards realising the industry’s full potential.”
Nicola Walker, CBI director for business environment, said: “This investment is great news for Hull with 1,000 new manufacturing jobs created. It shows the UK is well placed to become a world leader in the construction and development of renewable energy generation.”