Denmark-headquartered LM Wind Power, a global manufacturer of wind turbine blades, is opening up a new factory in Normandy, France.
The factory, dedicated to offshore wind power, will be built on a site developed by Ports Normands Associes (PNA), a port authority that includes the Normandy region and the Manche Department.
The company expects to break ground on the facility in March and begin production in June 2018. Ultimately, LM Wind Power expects to employ over 550 people at the factory and provide as many as 2,000 local, indirect jobs.
LM Wind Power says it has worked with the Normandy local authorities and the Normandy region to establish the new factory, which is located on the port of Cherbourg.
The facility will be capable of producing what the company says is the world’s longest wind blade, the LM 88.4 P.
“This move recognizes the strategic growth of offshore wind energy in Europe and the emerging commercial opportunity for Cherbourg and the surrounding region,” says Alexis Crama, vice president of offshore wind at LM Wind Power.
“The region very strongly supports this expected and essential project for North Cotentin and Normandy,” says Herve Morin, president of the Normandy region and of Ports Normands Associes.
