Siemens Gamesa's Impact on Global Wind Turbine Manufacturing

Wind energy plays a critical role in more than half the world’s countries, generated by hundreds of thousands of turbines that, collectively, produce roughly 1,100 GW of wind power.

Global on- and offshore turbine developer and manufacturer Siemens Gamesa is responsible for 130 GW of that global total.

Among its many high-profile projects is ScottishPower’s East Anglia TWO wind farm in the UK, where Siemens Gamesa secured a contract worth more than £1bn (US$1.3bn) to supply 64 wind turbines.

Discussing the impact of this and other significant wind energy projects, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said: “Our mission to make Britain a clean energy superpower will fire up our industrial heartlands and break down barriers to growth in our hard-working towns and cities. 

“It will strengthen our national security – protecting our children and grandchildren from the climate crisis, and impact this will have on their future prosperity. 

“By acting decisively and early, the UK has an opportunity to lead the world in the industries of the future – working in partnership with businesses like ScottishPower and Siemens Energy – creating real energy security, cutting energy bills and building jobs and supply chains in the UK.”

Siemens Gamesa: from early turbines to global manufacturer

Siemens Gamesa legacy traces back to two companies: Gamesa, founded in 1976, and Bonus Energy, founded in 1980. 

Bonus Energy built its first 22 kW turbine in 1981, which operated until 2016. 

In 1991 the world’s first offshore wind farm was constructed using 11 Bonus Energy turbines, each generating 450 kW. That wind farm remained in operation for 25 years.

Gamesa began focusing on wind power in 1994 and installed its first wind farm a year later. 

A major turning point came in 2004 when Siemens acquired Bonus Energy, creating Siemens Wind Power. 

This division merged with Gamesa in 2017 to become Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy. Today, the company operates as part of Siemens Energy and is led by Chief Executive Officer Vinod Philip.

Manufacturing and servicing on a global scale

Siemens Gamesa employs more than 28,000 people representing over 100 nationalities. 

It claims the number one position in onshore wind power markets across the Americas, Europe, Africa and Asia. 

Offshore, the company leads in harnessing energy from powerful sea winds, supplying and maintaining turbines as part of its long-term service model.

The company manufactures wind turbines and blades in locations worldwide, including Brande and Aalborg in Denmark, Fort Madison in the US, Linggang in China, Ain Soukhna in Egypt and Hull in the UK. 

Its site in Brande also handles research and development.

The Hull factory, in particular, plays a key role in supporting the UK’s wind power ambitions. 

Of Siemens Gamesa’s more than 6,000 UK employees, 1,300 work at its Hull blade plant. Blades manufactured at the site are installed at wind farms such as ScottishPower’s East Anglia projects, RWE’s Sofia development and Ørsted’s Hornsea sites.

When deployed, each turbine is expected to operate for over 120,000 hours during its lifetime. 

Because many are located in remote or difficult-to-access sites, ongoing maintenance is essential. 

With this in mind, Siemens Gamesa’s services division focuses on keeping turbines running efficiently and safely across their full operational lifespan.

Delivering the UK’s energy and economic goals

Wind energy is vital for the UK's long-term energy goals, providing a secure, domestic source of clean electricity, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and volatile global markets. 

Its growth and development by the likes of Siemens Gamesa aligns with the UK government's commitment to achieving Net Zero by 2050, and its strategy to enhance energy security and create green jobs across the country.

Darren Davidson, Vice President for the UK and Ireland at Siemens Energy and Siemens Gamesa, outlines how the company is supporting these key policy ambitions: “The UK is the first leading industrial country to simultaneously phase out coal power and be a leader in offshore wind. If we’re to achieve our net zero targets, it’s mission critical this momentum is maintained. 

“As well as delivering the blades to power the UK’s energy transition, our factory in Hull is acting as a catalyst for economic growth and green jobs across the region.”

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