Frimley, 2012-Mar-14
Siemens, the leading global engineering and technology company, has announced that it has placed an order with South Wales based Mabey Bridge to manufacture towers for 15, 2.3MW turbines bound for the Mynydd y Betws wind farm in Carmarthenshire.
Siemens will supply, transport, install and commission the two-section 63-metre-high, 105 tonne towers for local developer, Cambrian Renewable Energy Limited (CREL), owned by the ESB, Ireland’s main electricity utility company. The wind turbines will have a tip height of 110 metres, and an installed capacity of up to 34.5MW. The project will generate electricity to power approximately 18,250 households, equivalent to almost a quarter of Carmarthenshire. More than two million tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions will be saved over the lifetime of the project. The towers will be delivered in summer 2012 and the project is due for completion by February 2013.
Originally developed by CREL, a Welsh consortium of Eco2 and local investors, Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm was acquired in June 2010 by ESB. ESB is committed to halving its carbon emissions by 2020 and achieving carbon net-zero emissions by 2035. In addition to Mynydd y Betws, other projects include the Fullabrook Wind Farm in Devon and the West Durham Wind Farm.
Commenting on the Mynydd y Betws Wind Farm project a spokesperson from ESB said: "ESB is committed to realising benefits for local communities by developing new green energy sources. In the Mynydd y Betws project we are focused on the community and local supply chain development, and we are delighted that local Welsh supplier, Mabey Bridge has been selected as the tower manufacturer for this development. This will give an invaluable boost to the local economy in South Wales."
Siemens already has a sizeable wind power business in Wales, which includes both onshore and offshore projects. Onshore Siemens successfully completed the Alltwalis wind farm in 2010. One of the largest offshore projects, Gwynt-y-Môr is in development. Siemens also developed the Rhyl Flats project in North Wales.
Grant Walker, managing director of Siemens Wind Power – Onshore said: "This is a significant contract with many benefits to the local economy and community. Siemens and ESB were keen to use a local supplier to manufacture this key component. Mabey Bridge Ltd impressed us with their capability and professionalism. The project will make an important contribution to delivering clean energy and local jobs for the community."
Based in Chepstow, South Wales, Mabey Bridge has a long history of large structural tube manufacture dating back to the construction of Brunel’s River Wye Railway Crossing in 1849. With the opening of its new £38m wind turbine tower manufacturing facility in May 2011, Mabey Bridge has transferred 162 years of bridge building expertise into the manufacture of wind turbine towers. At full capacity the factory will be able to produce over 300 towers per annum using the latest techniques, including computer-controlled cutting and rolling, robotic welding, and a cutting-edge surface treatment facility. The company recently announced it had taken on 45 new staff – in addition to 50 transferrred from its bridge-building operation – to meet demand.
Alex Smale, UK director at Mabey Bridge, said: "This is our first contract with Siemens and a real shot in the arm for our new wind turbine tower manufacturing facility. Siemens has a global reputation and is a leading player in the UK wind power market. It is great news for our team and for the local community."
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Notes to editors:
About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 169 years ago and now employs 12,972 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.4 billion*. As a leading global engineering and technology services company, Siemens provides innovative solutions to help tackle the world’s major challenges, across the key sectors of energy, industry, infrastructure & cities and healthcare. Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Frimley, Surrey. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany. For more information, visit www.siemens.co.uk
* Data includes intercompany revenue. Data may not be comparable with revenue reported in annual or interim reports.
For more information, contact:
Rachel Odams
PR Manager
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1604 696614
Mob: +44 (0)7808 824209
About Mabey Bridge
Mabey Bridge is a specialist supplier of modular steel bridging, highway bridges, railway bridges and other heavy plated steelwork. Mabey Bridge has a turnover of £70m and 500 employees.
The company is part of the Mabey Group, a private family-owned group of companies with a turnover of £100 million and almost 1,000 employees
