LM Wind Power, a GE Renewable Energy business, commissioned a second 107m wind turbine blade mould production line at its Cherbourg factory in France earlier this month, in order to meet demand for offshore wind turbine blades.

GE Renewable Energy is also planning an extension of the site, with the construction of an additional hall for finishing blades before they are shipped. The 107m long blades will be used with GE’s Haliade-X offshore wind turbine.

Olivier Fontan, president and CEO of LM Wind Power, said: “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.

“The arrival of the second 107m production line at the factory marks an 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 now recruiting a further 200 people which will bring the total number of people employed at the facility to 800. Every new hire goes through an intensive six-week training programme 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, they receive official certificates recognised 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 facility became the first wind turbine blade manufacturing site in France when it was opened in April 2018 and manufactured the world’s first 107m wind turbine blade.