Isle of Wight gains hundreds of new jobs at wind turbine factory

Increasing demand for offshore turbines spurs growth

Demand for offshore turbines is growing

(Getty)

Hundreds of new recruits are to be hired at a wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight amid growing demand for offshore power generation.

Over 300 people already work at MHI Vestas site, a mile and a half south of Cowes, but the company has announced a “major expansion” of operations.

The new staff will be employed over the coming weeks, the company said.

"Today marks the start of an ambitious programme to increase the capacity of our blade production facility at the West Medina Mills on the Isle of Wight," said James Luter, production director for MHI Vestas Blades UK.

"We are looking for people with the right attitude, a good work ethic, and who want to be part of something historic.

"Building the world's largest serially produced wind turbine blades right here on the island, we are helping to move the world towards clean energy."

The first quarter of 2018 marked the first time in British history that wind power outstripped electricity production from nuclear power stations.

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The world's largest operational windfarm opened in September in the UK and consists of 87 turbines in the Irish Sea off Cumbria.

Renewable energy of all forms now makes up almost a third of all electricity generated in the UK each year.

Additional reporting by agencies