Frimley, 2011-Oct-25
Siemens, the leading provider of global wind power solutions has announced it is key sponsor of RenewableUK 2011, the UK’s leading renewable energy conference and exhibition. The three-day event in Manchester is the largest of its kind for the renewables industry. Delegates will be guided to the Conference by the image of a Siemens wind turbine projected onto the Siemens’ offices at Princess Parkway en route to the Convention Centre. The conference will be opened by Matthew Chinn, managing director, Siemens Energy UK and North West Europe, and the keynote speaker is the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Chris Huhne, who will address the conference on Wednesday 26th October.
"This is an exciting time for the industry and companies involved in wind energy, through this decade and the next. As a business we are making significant investments in the UK and are keen to see progress in delivering the vision and programme for renewables," said Matthew Chinn
Siemens technologies provide around 40% (2.3GW) of total UK wind energy generating capacity (total UK capacity 5.7GW RUK figures, September 2011), and its Manchester based grid connections business provides 75% of all offshore wind megawatt (MW) grid connections to the National Grid. Siemens renewables service division completes the portfolio, offering comprehensive long-term service packages to optimise yields on wind farms.
The regional potential is also clear. "The scope for regional growth and development is huge," continued Chinn. "Siemens has a 2,000 people strong business in the North West and is a leading employer in Manchester. Our renewables business is exceptionally vibrant in the region and we are making very significant investments in our infrastructure, R & D, technology and people. This year alone we announced that we would create up to 340 new green engineering jobs in our renewable projects business based here in Manchester. We are delighted that RenewableUK’s annual conference is being held in the City."
Siemens experts will present perspectives on key topics - direct drive technology for onshore, supply chain and offshore development, financing and skills and training. Siemens is showcasing its unique combination of wind turbine technology, grid connections and service solutions for onshore, offshore and coastal sites at Stand 126 in the main Exhibition area.
Currently under construction at the Siemens site in Manchester is the new multi-million pound Renewable Energy Engineering (REE) Centre, due to be completed next spring, which will house Siemens global centre for competence for grid connections and includes its innovative HVDC (high voltage direct current) technology, critical to making the ever farther offshore wind farms possible.
In addition to its sponsorship of RenewableUK Siemens is also a major sponsor of the Manchester Science Festival (22-30 October) and, to help celebrate "all things science", opened the gates of its state-of-the-art train maintenance facility in Ardwick on Saturday 22 October. Over 200 members of the National Autistic Society (NAS), as well as other children and families living with autism, attended the hugely popular open day.
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Notes to editors:
About Siemens in the UK
Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 168 years ago and now employs around 16,000 people in the UK. Last year’s revenues were £4.1 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 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
For more information, contact:
Rachel Odams
PR Manager
Siemens plc
Tel. +44 (0)1276 690782
Mob: +44 (0)7808 824209
Rachel.odams@siemens.com
