Windfarm boost for power manufacturing in Leeds and Scarborough
French power giant Schneider Electric is expanding its UK manufacturing facilities in Scarborough and Leeds, driven by rising demand for windfarm systems
The multi-million pound expansion of both facilities is to boost the capacity and productivity of its manufacturing operations and build new technologies for the renewables industry. It also plans to expand production by 10 percent, creating new jobs and adding a new test cell and assembly line. It will also create an innovation hub at its Leeds site showcasing sustainable energy management technologies.
Scarborough adds a 1,000sq m factory extension and new painting line to focus on outdoor low voltage solutions.
“We believe there is huge potential to enhance the skills, capabilities and production facilities in our Leeds and Scarborough sites to support the UK’s transition to renewable energy with high quality products and technology manufactured here in the UK. Whilst the UK economy may be showing signs of slowing down, we believe there has never been a better time to invest in renewables technology production,” said Mike Hughes, Zone President, Schneider Electric UK & Ireland.
Both Schneider Electric’s Leeds and Scarborough sites currently specialise in the manufacture of switchgear for high-voltage, medium voltage and low-voltage environments. Switchgear is used in electricity substations and large buildings such as hospitals, factories or residential flats to control, protect and isolate electrical equipment. The new investment will enable the facilities to produce Schneider Electric’s range of WI switchgear equipment which is used in offshore windfarms to transmit electricity efficiently and safely to the grid. The factories will also start producing technology that sits inside the wind turbines themselves. The Scarborough facility will produce more of outdoor low voltage switchgear technology, used to protect and distribute electricity to housing estates, shopping centres, colleges, ports, airports, telecommunication sites, factories and many other commercial and industrial installations.
In addition to the investment in its production capabilities, Schneider Electric also plans to build a new innovation hub in Leeds, combining creative, production and manufacturing facilities under one roof. The hub will include a digital customer experience zone, a product innovation zone and an EcoStruxure control centre, focusing on sustainable energy management technologies.
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