Europe – Vestas will stop manufacturing in Lauchhammer, Germany, Viveiro, Spain, and Esbjerg, Denmark.
Vestas’ factory in Lauchhammer, Germany, has maintained manufacturing of a limited number of blades for the V117 and V136 turbines since it cut down operations two years ago, and currently employs roughly 460 people. Vestas anticipates that supply from its other blade manufacturers throughout the world will be sufficient to fulfill future customer demand for its V117 and V136 turbines. It is expected that production in Lauchhammer would be completed by the end of 2021, and Vestas will look into ways to shift personnel now working in Lauchhammer to other Vestas facilities in Germany spanning manufacturing and service. Vestas maintains its commitment to the German market, with more than 15 GW of installed turbines, 11 GW in service, and over 2,500 workers as of August 2021.
The Vestas facility in Viveiro, Spain, employs roughly 115 people and produces generators for the 2 MW onshore platform as well as control panels for the V164 offshore turbine for markets other than Spain. The continuation of activities in Viveiro is no longer viable due to both a decline in demand for the 2 MW platform and the necessity to optimize offshore manufacturing. According to current plans, Vestas aims to complete manufacturing in Viveiro by the end of 2021 and will offer options for staff presently working in Viveiro to relocate to other Vestas sites in Spain. Vestas will collaborate with national and regional governments, as well as social stakeholders, to alleviate the effects. Spain remains an important market for Vestas, with more than 4.8 GW of installed turbines, 6 GW in service, and more than 2,200 people as of August 2021, including the Daimiel blade plant, service operations, and the headquarters for Vestas’ Mediterranean area.
The Vestas factory in Esbjerg, Denmark, employs roughly 75 employees who produce power conversion modules for the V164 and V174 offshore turbines. Vestas aims to complete production of power conversion modules at Esbjerg during the first half of 2022, as demand for these modules steadily shifts to markets largely outside of Europe and is delivered via more localized manufacturing facilities. Vestas will look into the possibility of relocating employees currently employed at the Esbjerg production to other Vestas locations in Denmark.
Vestas will immediately commence legal actions and negotiations with worker representatives and local work councils for all impacted employees, as required by local legislation.
