GE launches second production line for 107-meter wind turbine blade mold

LM Wind Power (Kolding, Denmark), a GE Renewable Energy business, announced on Oct. 12 the launch of its second 107-meter wind turbine blade mold (production line) at its Cherbourg, France, facility in order to address the industry’s demand for offshore wind turbine blades. The second mold has been through the prototype phase and will now start operations.

Additionally, GE Renewable Energy (Paris, France) is to make a further investment in upgrading the plant. The company is planning an extension of the site, with the construction of an additional hall for finishing blades (post-molding) before they are shipped.

The Cherbourg facility has produced the world’s first offshore wind turbine blade longer than 100 meters, a 107-meters long blade that will be used in GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine.

“Our teams here in Cherbourg are thrilled to take an active role in the energy transition and to be part of the successful journey for GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine,” says Olivier Fontan, president and CEO of LM Wind Power. “The arrival of the second 107-meter mold at the factory marks increased activity for LM Wind Power in Cherbourg, and we are happy to welcome a large wave of new employees, allowing us to participate in social development and create more jobs in the surrounding community.”

The site is recruiting 200 employees, targeting 800 employees total. Every new hire goes through an intensive six-week training program at the factory’s Center of Excellence to learn wind turbine blade manufacturing processes and develop skills and technical expertise required to produce high-quality wind turbine blades. Following the training, employees receive official certificates recognized in the French industry, as a Qualification Certificate for Metallurgy Operations.

The Cherbourg team is mostly looking to expand its production workforce, with positions that are open to all profiles and backgrounds. The site will also be looking for production supervisors, quality controllers and maintenance technicians. The expanded production workforce will allow LM Wind Power to meet the growing offshore wind industry demand.

The factory currently has about 600 employees, with 34% being women. The facility reportedly became the first wind turbine blade manufacturing site in France when it was opened three and half years ago in April 2018.