After the Vestas company resigned from its manufacturing plans that would have created about 1,600 jobs, a task force has been set up to attract new manufacturers to north Kent, BBC News reports.
Danish company Vestas was supposed to manufacture wind turbines at Sheerness Dock, a huge new plant on the Isle of Sheppey, however on Friday they announced a change in their plans. Vestas stated that the reason was the insufficient amount of orders to go ahead.
In order to seek new solutions the Kent County Council, Swale Borough Council, Locate Kent and MPs will meet during the week and discuss the situation.
Laura Sandys , a member of the Energy and Climate Change Committee stated: “I feel extremely strongly that we need a blade manufacturer in Kent, Sheerness is the perfect place, and I know that Gordon Henderson and Kent County Council are working extremely hard on this“.
Vestas, the supplier of about 40% of the world’s offshore turbines, announced that its commitment to offshore wind power remained unchanged.
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Offshore WIND staff, June 26, 2012; Image: Medway Ports