GE estimates that the plant, which is set to open and start production in 2023, could create up to 750 direct renewable energy jobs and up to 1,500 indirect jobs in the area to support the entire value chain needed to operate this facility. This announcement and commitment support the UK government’s plan to develop jobs, infrastructure, and supply chains to reach its goal to commission 40 gigawatts of offshore wind power by 2030 and become a global leader in green energy.

As part of that plan, Teesside has just been designated as one of the UK’s newest freeports. The town is an ideal location to serve the vast offshore wind potential of the North Sea.

The Dogger Bank Offshore Wind Farm, located off the east coast of Yorkshire, will benefit directly from the blades produced at the new plant. When complete in 2026, it will be the world’s largest offshore wind farm. The farm will be powered by Haliade-X and have a combined installed generation capacity of 3.6 gigawatts, enough to power six million UK homes.

GE Renewable Energy employs close to 1,500 people at its UK facilities, with the majority located between Stafford (GE Grid Solutions) and its LM Wind Power engineering center in Southampton. The company also has announced an investment of $20 million in R&D and testing activities for the Haliade-X, and it continues to partner with ORE Catapult in Blyth on areas such as innovation, R&D and testing major components.