Vestas is one of the world leaders in the production of Wind Turbines. Now even if you regard the economic rationale for installing Wind Turbines as absurd (which I do) it has to be said that Vestas are very good at making them.
But, given that no sane person would install wind turbines for national energy generation purposes, the big megawatt generating devices are only marketable due to politically motivated procurement. So Vestas are cutting down on their European production facilities, which includes staff reductions at, and ultimate closure of, their Isle of Wight factory. According to the company’s press release:
The announcement was made in response to conditions in the Northern European markets not having met the company’s expectations. The current market conditions are caused by the credit crunch, weak currencies and a lack of local political action in certain markets. At the same time, Vestas is investing in a significant production base in the US. The expansion in the US has created substantial excess production capacity in Northern Europe, which has so far also manufactured turbines for the US market. Unfortunately, demand on the Northern European market cannot absorb the excess capacity.
In essence, President Obama has more of other people’s money than Gordon Brown or any of the European leaders, so he looks like a better patron for the brotherhood of renewable energy.
And in a heartbeat, Vestas stop being number-one good-think friends of the planet and become horrid, evil capitalist running dogs.
This is a useful reminder for any other companies that think they can keep the left on-side. It doesn’t matter how much you spend on corporate social responsibility, sooner or later you will be expected to provide both the cake and the afternoon tea.
[Wikinews says] Since the occupation began, the Vestas workers have received declarations of support and solidarity from a wide swathe of the British left, including but not limited to: political partiesGreen Party, Respect, the Socialist Party, the Socialist Workers Party, the Alliance for Workers Liberty, and the Communist Party of Britain; the TUCG group, which brings together the BFAWU, FBU, NAPO, NUJ, PCS, POA, RMT, and URTU; and environmental groups Greenpeace, the Campaign against Climate Change, Climate Camp, and Workers' Climate Action, who claims credit for initiating the campaign to occupy the factory. Attendees of the Big Green Gathering, a large annual environmentalist rally which was due to take place starting today but was suddenly canceled on Sunday, are being encouraged to go to the Isle of Wight and take part in support rallies for Vestas instead.
Given that the Big Green Gathering has now been cancelled, many disappointed festival goers are said to be making the detour to the Isle of Wight. According to Hampshire’s press archive for 30.Jul.09:
Police are continuing their investigation after a man was arrested in Portsmouth using powers under the Terrorism Act.
The 38-year-old was detained by officers near the Whale Island naval establishment yesterday and remains in police custody.
A Hampshire Constabulary spokesman said: “Police were called at around 2.15pm to reports of suspicious behaviour at the site.
“The man, who’s believed to be from the South West of England, was detained in a white panel van parked outside the establishment.
"As part of our investigation, officers seized filming equipment from the van and detectives are in the process of questioning the man at a police station in Hampshire.
“From our initial enquiries, there is there is nothing to suggest there was any immediate risk to the public.”
Avon & Somerset Constabulary will owe Hampshire Constabulary a few drinks for this one, I reckon.
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