How the Vestas development could have looked at the Port of Sheerness

by Emma Grove

Vestas has pulled out of its multi-million pound development at Sheerness Docks.

The Danish wind turbine manufacturer and Peel Ports announced the shock news this morning.

In May last year, the firm agreed with the port an intention to take over 70 hectares of land – creating a giant wind turbine plant and 2,000 jobs.

Both Peel and Vestas have refused to comment any further for "legal reasons" on the reasons for not proceeding.

Reacting to the news, MP Gordon Henderson said he was disappointed but not surprised.

"A lot of people were pinning their hopes on it so I’m obviously disappointed," he said.

"There are questions that need to be asked but I’m not sure we will get the answers.

"I’m not entirely clear why Vestas has pulled out because they are not making a [further] statement so we have got to make assumptions and my assumption would be that they are not prepared to pay for another year’s option on the land because of their internal cash flow problems.

"We have known for some time they are struggling so it doesn’t come as a surprise.

"I just hope that by working together we can encourage another renewable energy company to come in."

Swale council leader Cllr Andrew Bowles echoed Mr Henderson's thoughts.

He said: "I never thought there was more than a 50/50 chance of it going ahead.

"But Vestas is not the only manufacturer so there’s a lot of work being done [to attract another]."

"It is extremely disappointing to have got so far down this route only for Vestas to withdraw.

"However, our work is not wasted and we will continue to look forwards. We remain convinced that Sheerness is the best location for wind turbine manufacture and assembly on the east coast of Britain, and we will work with Peel Ports to attract another operator who can build on the groundwork we have already done."

An artist’s impressions of how the Vestas development could have looked

Peel Ports' chief executive Mark Whitworth said: "We are extremely disappointed that we have been unable to conclude the agreement with Vestas.

"However, we remain fully committed to the strategy outlined for the Port of Sheerness of attracting major renewables manufacturers to complement our valued heritage business within the significant footprint of the port."