Power generation and transmission firm Alstom said it is planning to establish two sites dedicated to production of components and to assembly of 6 MW offshore wind turbines in the port areas of Saint Nazaire (Loire-Atlantique) and Cherbourg (Manche) in France.

Alstom which has formed a consortium with French based company EDF EN to bid for the project, plans to make an initial investment of around EUR 100 million in the project.

Mr Jerome Pecresse president of renewable power sector of Alstom said that "By locating in Saint-Nazaire and Cherbourg, Alstom would be sharing in the ambition of the consortium led by EDF EN to create in France with its suppliers a long-lasting industrial and technological sector.”

Mr Pecresse said that the company expects to generate up to 1,000 direct jobs and 4,000 indirect jobs through the project. He added that "We will be pleased to participate thus in regional planning through substantial investments and significant job creation, which are dependent on the success of our consortium.”

The release added that if the consortium is selected, Alstom would manufacture nacelles and generators in Saint-Nazaire and move its offshore engineering center, now located in Loire-Atlantique, to the new site in Saint-Nazaire.

(Sourced from ET)