Towers take-over

Danish energy company Skykon has announced that it is to take over Vestas' wind turbine towers manufacturing facility in Campbeltown on the west coast of Scotland, saving the seven-year-old factory from closure as well as protecting around 100 jobs.

The centre will be used to supply towers to wind turbine producers, including Vestas, which, as part of the purchase agreement, will purchase towers from Skykon.

Skykon said that it will immediately begin construction on a new larger 14,000 m² factory and research-and-development centre adjacent to the existing facility, which will result in a further 200 jobs in the future.

This is partly to increase capacity, but also so the company will be able to build larger towers for the offshore market.

In a statement, Skykon said that it made the purchase to take advantage of the increasing demand for wind power in the US and Europe.

Jesper Øhlenschlæger, chief executive officer at Skykon, said: 'Both the Scottish government and the local energy producers are focused on wind power, and we expect some 3,000MW to be installed in Scotland over the next four years.'