German manufacturer Senvion, formerly known as REpower, has decided to halt production at its fully-owned subsidiary PowerBlades, which will affect 246 workers.
The production of offshore wind blades will be suspended until the end of this year “as a result of uncertainty regarding investment”, meaning that “the expansion of offshore wind power in Germany has not proceeded as planned,” wrote Senvion in a statement.
Even though the company ended 2013 with a record number of installations in the onshore market, offshore business was marked with uncertainties.
PowerBlades has introduced a short-time work which is “the best possible step for both sides.“
The Senvion spokesman concluded by saying: “We can avoid laying employees off and preserve jobs for employees who are qualified, committed and trained and whom we will need again in the foreseeable future. Short-time work is also a signal to our customers: As soon as the orders start coming in, we will be able to fulfill them without any delay.”
Press release, February 5, 2014; Image: elbehafen