Siemens has already completed soil compaction and preparation of the pile foundation, consisting of 1,900 concrete piles. Construction of the factory building began with an official ceremony attended by German State Secretary Enak Ferlemann. Also in attendance was Günter Willbold, Head of Siemens Real Estate Germany, Daniela Behrens, Secretary of State in the Lower Saxony Ministry of Economics, Uwe Santjer, member of Lower Saxony’s parliament, the mayor of Cuxhaven, Ulrich Getsch and Hans-Joachim Stietzel, Head of the agency for the economic development of the City of Cuxhaven.
Mr Ferlemann emphasised the important of the project for Germany’s coastal economy and future energy infrastructure, stating that “a new industry is developing at the German north and east coast which is not only beneficial for the labour market, but also for energy transition. Cuxhaven is clearly on a solid course for the future.” Günter Willbold also praised the project, adding that, as Siemens’ first new factory in Germany in 20 years, the project clearly demonstrates “that Germany also has a future in production sites”. Daniela Behrens called the project “the most important anchor for the German industrial offshore centre in Cuxhaven. The offshore industry is key to the success of Germany’s energy transition.”
On behalf of Siemens and the Wind Power and Renewables Division, CEO Markus Tacke introduced the new project manager Carsten-Sünnke Berendsen, who is taking on the project with the start of the building construction. Tacke thanked the predecessor of Berendsen, Thorsten Granzow, for his energetic efforts within the scope of planning and previous construction work.
During the coming weeks the concrete mixers will start working on the site covering an area of 170,000 square meters – a surface comparable to the size of 24 soccer fields. A poured concrete plate 320 metres long and more than 160 metres wide will be held in place by the 1,900 concrete piles and will form the base of the future production hall. Once production begins, the ground must withstand heavy loads of up to several hundred tons. Civil engineering works for the foundations of the production facility will start during the coming weeks. The completion of the enormous production hall, with heights of up to 30 metres, is scheduled for mid-2017. With its usable area of round about 55,000 square metres, the hall could provide parking for 15 large aircraft. Besides the assembly hall, a two-story building with about 3,800 square metres usable area for offices and a canteen as well as a technological building and a gatehouse will also rise at the site.
Production of the 7 MW direct drive offshore wind turbines will start in summer 2017, coinciding with the start of manufacturing of the 75-metre rotor blades at the new plant in Hull, UK. The two offshore manufacturing plants as well as the installation harbour ports will be connected by two specialised transport vessels and will deploy the innovative Siemens roll-on and roll-off logistics concept for loading. By using this approach, Siemens will avoid expensive crane operations for heavy components and increase workplace safety.
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