Siemens wind turbine blade facility to be expanded

Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has awarded VolkerFitzpatrick an £82M design and build contract, to deliver two wind turbine blade manufacturing facilities and repurpose an existing factory at its site in Hull. The works began in August and are due to complete in May 2023.

The award follows VolkerFitzpatrick’s successful delivery of the existing blade factory at the same site in 2016 – see NSC July/Aug 2016.

Once complete, the new steel-framed facilities will enable Siemens Gamesa to produce larger blades, with greater efficiency.

Phase one of the project will include pre-cast piling, drainage and foundations, and steel-framed structures. The steelwork has been specially designed to allow 40m clear spans, with a working height of 18m and significant load-bearing capability to accommodate the various gantry and console cranes required during the wind turbine blade manufacturing process.

The buildings will cover a total footprint of 42,362m² and will be finished with aluminium-faced insulated panels to the roof and walls, in continuity with the existing blade factory. The mechanical and electrical fit-out will include services for lighting, power, water, humidity control, ventilation and cooling.

Phase two will involve modifications to the existing 34,217m² blade factory, to repurpose it from a production facility to a finishing area. This will include internal reconfigurations, as well as upgrading and replacing mechanical services. The team will also alter the building’s envelope, steelwork and doors, to allow for larger blades to be manoeuvred in and out.

Stuart Deverill, Managing Director of VolkerFitzpatrick’s Building Division, said: “VolkerFitzpatrick has a long-standing, collaborative relationship with Siemens Gamesa, having worked together on its original blade factory in 2016. I am delighted that we have now been appointed to deliver these two new facilities and look forward to seeing the works progress over the coming months.”