MHI Vestas Offshore Wind has announced the creation of 70 new jobs at its blade production facility on the Isle of Wight on the south coast of the UK. Speaking at the time the announcement was made, the UK’s International Trade Minister, Greg Hands, said: “MHI Vestas Offshore Wind’s decision to increase production staff at their Isle of Wight facility is great news. As manufacturers of the latest generation of offshore wind blades they play a vital role in the UK’s offshore wind industry. I look forward to seeing these blades in UK and European projects in the future, starting with the Burbo Bank Extension windfarm.” A Bilfinger GVA economic impact assessment found the economic impact of MHI Vestas’ Blade Production facility in the last 12 months has been ￡135 million of economic output to the UK economy, supporting over 380 direct and indirect jobs, and generating significant value for the local Isle of Wight economy through salaries and spending. “There are three key areas of value that we bring to the UK, namely competition, innovation and skills, which will continue to bring direct benefits in terms of cost reductions, jobs and investment in the UK,” said MHI Vestas Offshore Wind chief executive Jens Tommerup. “This truly is a win-win-win scenario. A win for UK jobs, a win for UK industry and a win for cost competitive, secure, low carbon power generation in the UK. “We look forward to the, hopefully imminent, announcement of the 2016/17 CfD auction which will enable us to continue to bring value to the UK as ever more cost competitive projects are built out from the early 2020s,” Mr Tommerup concluded.