The UK's emerging offshore wind sector has been dealt a major blow, after Danish turbine manufacturer Vestas scrapped plans to build a factory in Kent that had been expected to create 2,000 jobs.
Vestas and the Port of Sheerness today issued a joint a statement announcing they had halted plans for the facility at a 70-hectare site where the manufacturer had planned to build its new 7MW V164 offshore wind turbines.
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The statement said Vestas remained committed to the UK's wind energy market, and stressed that the company would continue to build and test blades at its R&D facility in the Isle of Wight.
"Vestas' strong commitment to the development of both the offshore and onshore wind industries is not affected by this decision," said Juan Araluce, chief sales officer for Vestas. "We will remain active across the two markets in the UK as they both continue to show considerable potential."
But the company provided no indication as to where it will now manufacture its next generation offshore turbines.
The move comes a year after Vestas signed a deal to secure exclusive rights to the land in Kent, with a view to building a manufacturing and installation facility for turbines that would supply the proposed Round 3 wind farms that will be located in deeper waters off the UK coast.
Ditlev Engel, Vestas chief executive, previously told BusinessGreen that the company would push the button on the investment as soon as sufficient orders were confirmed for its 7MW turbine.
A spokesman for Vestas told Reuters that the company had failed to secure any orders so far.
"Such a factory is conditional on concrete orders in our order book and we have not announced any signed orders at this point," he said. "We want a good pipeline of orders before we advance further and we do not have that at this point in time."
Last month Vestas announced that had delayed the pace of development for the 7MW machine. A prototype is now expected to be installed in Denmark during 2014, instead of 2013 as originally expected, with production starting "when the market is ready".
Round 3 developers are planning to start building the first wind farms in 2014-2016, however the bigger 6-7MW turbines are likely to be used for the later phases in 2018 onwards.
Trade association RenewableUK said it was disappointed by the news, but insisted the industry should not be downbeat as other manufacturers had factories in the pipeline, including Areva, which last week announced its ambition to set up a UK offshore wind turbine plant.
"Naturally we are disappointed with this decision, but as the world-leader in offshore wind, the UK remains an attractive place for manufacturers and members of the supply chain to have a base," said Maria McCaffery, chief executive of RenewableUK.
"Investors in both projects and employment are poised to follow through on pledges but delivery on green jobs needs certainty and confidence in the market, with clarity on implementation arrangements and timescales."
Mark Whitworth, chief executive of Peel Ports, said it would continue to seek contracts with other renewable energy companies.
"We are extremely disappointed that we have been unable to conclude the agreement with Vestas," he said. "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."
However, Vestas' decision will crank up pressure on the government to confirm the policy environment offshore wind developers can expect to operate in and take further steps to live up to its pledge of making the UK the world's most attractive investment environment for renewable energy.
A number of wind turbine firms, including US giant GE, are still mulling plans for new manufacturing facilities in the UK, but frustration is mounting at the government's failure to clarify the level of support renewable energy projects can expect through its electricity market reforms and the growing criticism the sector is facing from some Conservative MPs.
Friends of the Earth energy campaigner Guy Shrubsole said the news should act as a wake up call for the government to boost its support for offshore wind energy.
"The government is costing the UK jobs by failing to come up with a decent Energy Bill that supports renewables and gives investors certainty," he said. "Instead it's committing the country to a costly dash for gas that will bust our carbon targets and keep us dependent on imported gas.
"The government needs to see this as a dangerous warning that it's on the wrong path - and ensure it radically reforms the draft Energy Bill to deliver us clean, British energy and green jobs."
Source: www.businessgreen.com
Great-value family-size homes in West Sussex - easier.com
Leading housebuilder Taylor Wimpey is offering the best of both worlds for home-hunters seeking a dream new house in West Sussex – plenty of space for all the family for an incredible value price.
The stunning family-size homes for sale in Billingshurst at Alders Edge and in Pulborough at The Ridings all boast generous accommodation and thoughtfully-designed layouts that are perfectly suited to today’s busy lifestyles.
What’s more, these high-quality four-bedroom houses are available for fantastic-value prices that compare very favourably with similar-sized second-hand houses for sale in West Sussex.
Four-bedroom homes at The Ridings, for example, are priced from as little as £319,995, whereas the average four-bedroom property in Pulborough costs more than £400,000* – that’s an instant saving of more than £80,000!
At Alders Edge, meanwhile, four-bedroom houses are available from only £364,995 – that’s £115,000 lower* than the typical four-bedroom property on sale in Billingshurst.
Fiona Creed, Regional Sales and Marketing Director for Taylor Wimpey, says: “Buyers would have to go a long way to beat the value for money on offer at The Ridings and Alders Edge, where our spacious four-bedroom homes offer amazing savings when compared with typical second-hand houses in West Sussex.
“Added to that, buying new offers a whole range of advantages compared with an older property. Buyers won’t need to pay out for a new kitchen or bathroom in their fabulous new low-maintenance home, and there’s the added peace of mind from the guarantees which come with a brand new home.
“And with contemporary designs which make fantastic use of space and light, these homes are proving incredibly attractive, so I’d urge anyone hoping to find their dream home in West Sussex to contact us without delay to make sure they don’t miss out.”
Just one of the impressive four-bedroom homes on sale now at The Ridings is the Plot 19 ‘Cherwell’ townhouse, priced at just £319,995. This handsome property features a fabulous living room leading through to a stunning garden room, which in turn opens through French doors to the private rear garden, with a contemporary kitchen/breakfast room and a guest cloakroom also located off the entrance hallway.
Upstairs, the first-floor landing leads to three well-proportioned bedrooms and a family bathroom, while the en-suite master bedroom enjoys appealing seclusion on the top floor. Outside, the property benefits from a garage and parking.
Alternative four-bedroom designs at The Ridings are available from only £339,995, while at Alders Edge, the four-bedroom detached ‘Chesham’ is priced at £364,995 and the four-bedroom detached ‘Thornford’ at £449,995 – including stamp duty paid.
Both developments enjoy superb locations bordering the picturesque West Sussex countryside, with local amenities and convenient transport links on the doorstep. To find out more about the great-value family-size homes on sale now at The Ridings and Alders Edge, visit taylorwimpey.co.uk.
Source: www.easier.com
Sharks looking to complete ‘double’ - Lewes Today
Source: www.sussexexpress.co.uk
Lesbian TV celebrity personal trainer threw herself from Beachy Head cliffs because split from girlfriend had left her a 'broken woman' - Daily Mail
- Angie Dowds, 42, sent text saying 'my heart is broken; my spirit is broken' before death leap
- Starred in ITV's The Biggest Loser with Davina McCall
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A celebrity personal trainer jumped off Beachy Head after losing her job and having problems with her girlfriend, an inquest heard yesterday.
Angie Dowds, 42, sent a text in her final moments at the notorious Sussex suicide spot saying: 'My heart is broken; my spirit is broken'.
At the time of her death last November, presenter Davina McCall, who she appeared on hit ITV show The Biggest Loser with, led tributes to her.
She said: 'Rest in peace Angie Dowds. So so sad.'
Tragic suicide: Angie Dowds was a health guru on ITV show The Biggest Loser
The inquest heard that Miss Dowds had drinks and drugs in her system, a combination described as 'severely toxic', when she threw herself off the cliff.
Her GP said she had experienced ongoing addictions to alcohol and drugs and had taken overdoses and made a number of suicide threats in the past.
The award-winning fitness guru had contact with mental health services and had refused treatment at one point.
After her death, it was revealed that local health services had neglected to book an outpatient's appointment for her after she declined treatment.
It was put down to an 'administrative error' initially, but a 'serious untoward incident' inquiry has since begun into what happened.
Yesterday, her brother Kevin Dowds accused doctors of letting down his younger sister.
Shocking death: Miss Dowds jumped from the cliffs at Sussex beauty spot Beachy Head
Health expert: Ms Dowds with presenter Davina McCall and fellow trainer Richard Callender on The Biggest Loser
He said: 'I feel she's been failed. Letting her decide whether she continues with mental health doesn't seem appropriate to me.'
Heartache: Ms Dowds had gone through another break-up earlier the same year
He also vowed to further investigate the failure to book the appointment.
In the days and weeks prior to her death, Miss Dowds told friends and family she was worried about having lost her job.
She was also concerned about where to live as she did not intend to continue living with her girlfriend Edwina Benson, with whom she was having 'troubles'.
Miss Dowds had a meeting with a housing officer to discuss where to live and had also discussed claiming benefits.
Her girlfriend Miss Benson, an administrator at a primary school, said that she exchanged texts with her shortly before she jumped.
Miss Dowds sent a series of heartbreaking texts to her partner, including one saying: 'My heart's broken; my spirit's broken'.
She added: 'On your head be it' and 'I'll be at peace very soon.'
Miss Benson then called the police after her partner revealed she was at Beachy Head.
Miss Dowds' body was discovered hours later.
Catherine Palmer, assistant deputy coroner for East Sussex, returned a verdict of suicide.
- For confidential support call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or see www.samaritans.org
Source: www.dailymail.co.uk
Judith Wallerstein Death: Read Her Top 10 HuffPost Blogs - Huffington Post
We were deeply saddened to hear about the death of Judith Wallerstein, a psychologist renowned for her analysis of the long-term effects of divorce on children.
According to the New York Times, Wallerstein, who died this week at age 90, published 60 to 70 articles in psychology and law journals, and authored five books, including "Surviving The Breakup: How Children And Parents Cope With Divorce."
Some of our favorite Wallerstein work can be found on this very site, where the researcher contributed a number of thoughtful, much-discussed blog posts. In fact, Wallerstein was right there with us when we launched HuffPost Divorce in November 2010, writing blogs that melded her groundbreaking research with practical, easy-to-digest advice.
To honor Wallerstein and her work, we've collected 10 of her best blogs for HuffPost Divorce. Click through for excerpts and links to the original pieces.
Related on HuffPost:
Source: www.huffingtonpost.com
Mental health services in this country are a joke...im sorry but it is true...armpit of the NHS and that really is saying something - apathy and ignorance, yesterday, 22/06/2012 08:50 Why blame the Mental Health Service !!!, they certainly have their hands Full in this day and age, what with all the Drug Fuelled Madness that has Exploded onto the Scene over the last 10 - 15 years. Don't blame them for this womans misfortune, they do the best they can with the little resources they have got.
- Morphious, Northeast England, 22/6/2012 11:00
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