Siemens to Build New Wind Turbine Plant

Diversified industrial concern Siemens AG is to build a new production facility in Cuxhaven, Germany, for wind power plant turbines, according to the Cuxhaven Lord Mayor Dr. Ulrich Getsch. 

The result of the investment by Siemens will be up to 1,000 new jobs. The production facility will cost approximately 200 million euros and will benefit from direct water access, meaning that the turbine parts can be loaded straight onto waiting heavy lift cargo vessels.

Set to open in 2017, and occupying 170,000 square meters of space, the production facility puts Cuxhaven at the center of a European wind power network. The rotors for these 7 MW wind power plants come from Green Port Hull in the United Kingdom, while other parts are produced at various sites in Denmark. The United States and Canada are also involved in the production process, and soon Siemens will extend its scope to North Africa.

For Cuxhaven's maritime sector the new prospects opened up by the Siemens production facility will mean an improved global reach and an incentive for local businesses to invest in additional heavy lift capacity and to build out international services. 

We have always believed in the potential of the unique geography of Cuxhaven and in the enviable group of service and logistics providers which are present at the port. Siemens is sure to profit from the strong presence of the Mittelstand (small and medium companies) in Cuxhaven, who have survived by offering customized solutions and outstanding service.

Of course, big projects in Cuxhaven have happened in the past and sometimes have not ended well due to the cyclical nature of the wind power industry, which is heavily dependent on clear, long-term political commitments (which are, as anyone knows, difficult to come by). 

From the struggles of Ambau, BARD and Cuxhaven Steel Construction, this is a familiar narrative. But given that Siemens has a 75 percent share of the European wind power plant market, we are optimistic that this time, the investor will have the financial reserves to power through such troughs.