Over 1,340 jobs will be created and protected across the Humber region thanks to £266 million of private sector and UK government investment in the offshore wind manufacturing industry.

Siemens Gamesa announced it will expand its offshore blade factory in Hull by 41,600 square meters, more than doubling the size of the manufacturing facilities.

The Siemens Gamesa expansion represents an investment of £186 million and is planned to be completed in 2023.

The offshore blade factory will grow to 77,600 square meters and add 200 additional direct jobs to the 1,000 person-workforce already in place.

Meanwhile, GRI Renewable Industries is the second confirmed company to build facilities at Able Marine Energy Park, South Bank of the Humber, with £78 million of investment in an offshore wind turbine tower factory, creating up to 260 direct jobs.

Siemens Gamesa and GRI Renewable Industries will receive grant funding from the government’s £160 million Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme.

UK Minister for Investment Gerry Grimstone said: “The UK is a world leader in offshore wind and these investments are further evidence of the confidence foreign investors have in both the sector and in the UK economy.

“Our Global Investment Summit later this year will show how the UK can shape the future of green investment and will be a platform to drive further investment into exciting industries of the future.”

Marc Becker, CEO of the Siemens Gamesa Offshore Business Unit, said: “Since our offshore blade factory opened in Hull in 2016, Siemens Gamesa has proudly served as the catalyst for the powerful growth the area has seen.

“The rapid development of the offshore wind industry – and continued, strong, long-term support provided by the UK government for offshore wind – has enabled us to power ahead with confidence when making these plans.

“We’re committed to unlocking the potential of wind energy around the globe, with solutions from Hull playing a vital role.

“Siemens Gamesa continues to be the leading supplier of offshore wind turbine technology in the world’s leading offshore wind market, the UK.

“Through safe, efficient, and reliable manufacturing, over 1,500 blades from Hull have been delivered to customers worldwide. We’re very much looking forward to adding to the approx. 1.4 GW of clean power capacity these blades help provide as a part of our offshore Direct Drive wind turbines.”

GRI Chairman & CEO Jon Riberas said: “We are proud to participate in this major project to power British homes and communities with wind energy towards sustainability and carbon neutrality.

“This project will create a worldwide leader in the offshore sector in a market that is increasingly demanding and constantly evolving.”