Contractor VolkerFitzpatrick will construct a wind turbine blade factory in Hull on behalf of Siemens…
Hertfordshire-based contractor VolkerFitzpatrick will build a 430,000 sq ft factory in Hull. The facility, which will produce wind turbine blades, will create around 200 jobs during the construction process.
The construction firm was founded in 1921 as Fitzpatrick Contractors and is now part of VolkerWessels UK. The multi-disciplinary construction and civil engineering group employs more than 600 workers.
Siemens said the work was given to VolkerFitzpatrick after delivering the “most competitive and robust proposal”. As part of the contract VolkerFitzpatrick will also construct offices and welfare facilities.
It is expected construction will start next month. The project is set to complete in the autumn of 2016, with production on the blades to begin by the end of 2016.
The facility, which will manufacture 75 million turbine blades, will also undertake the assembly, maintenance, storage, and distribution of wind turbine components.
Siemens’ Shaun Cray, who is working on the Hull project, said the standard of firms that had bid for the contract had been extremely strong, but that VolkerFitzpatrick had come out on top.
VolkerFitzpatrick Managing Director Richard Offord said: “We are very proud to have been awarded the contract to build the blade factory for Siemens in Hull.
“This facility is a key element in establishing a new renewable energy industry in the UK, creating employment and wealth for the region. We look forward to working in collaboration with Siemens, stakeholders and our supply chain to demonstrate a one team approach for delivering this project.”
Siemens, alongside partner Associated British Ports, is investing £310m in the Hull project. It is expected around 1,000 people will be employed on the site, the majority of which will be based at the blade factory.
