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Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy has announced its intention to start a procedure of collective dismissal the closing of your facility in Aoiz (Navarre), where they work a total of 239 people . So it has been moved by the company’s manufacturer of wind turbines to the National Commission of the Market of Values (CNMV), through a relevant fact in the that refers to the regulation of the procedures of collective dismissal and of suspension of contracts and reduction of working hours. “Siemens Gamesa you need to adapt to market conditions wind farm to global, characterized by strong competition and price pressure that has deteriorated the margins of the manufacturers of wind turbines,” explains the company.
In this context, as communicated by the company, the new generation of turbines are land-based (onshore) with rotors of up to 170 meters , will be key to increasing the competitiveness of the business onshore and ensure the success of the company. These great models already account for nearly half of the demand for turbines and will be fundamental to increase the profitability and ensure the continuous reduction of the cost of wind energy.
in order To progress this strategy, the company has decided to close its plant in Aoiz, the don’t be competitive to produce the huge blades of these models. The factory in navarra is specialized in model SG 3.4-132, with a rotor 132 metres, mainly for the domestic market. Its high costs and its geographical location, more than 200 kilometres from the nearest port, make it unfeasible their competitiveness for export. The condition of the closure in Navarre and especially in the area of the pre-pyrenees in the plant, generates, in addition to the unemployment and the problem for these 239 families , a condition fatal to the whole environment of this region, with little industry, rural livelihoods, and with small nuclei of population. is Gamesa , in addition, it is an industry that since it was installed has counted with the support of the various Governments of Navarra
The company will implement a Record of Employment Regulation to a maximum of 239 people . The negotiations with the representatives of the workers is expected to start in the next few days, according to the regulation in force. The company will inform of the agreements reached upon completion of the negotiations.
“We have taken a very difficult decision and we are fully conscious of your impact in our workers and their local community. We will do everything in our power to help the people affected,” said Alfonso Faubel, CEO Onshore of Siemens wind turbines. “After analyzing over the last few months, all of the possible options, we have come to the conclusion that there is no other possible alternative. In the current circumstances, we have the obligation to take the necessary measures to ensure the long-term viability of this company , as well as the employment of over 24,000 people working with us around the world, including close to 5,000 in Spain”, he added.
Although this decision not directly related to the crisis of the COVID-19 , the effects of the pandemic on the operations and business activity of Siemens Gamesa have accentuated the need to act. The company recorded a direct impact of 56 million euros in its profitability during the last quarter.
despite the complexity of the environment in the short term, wind power has established itself as the source of new generation to be more competitive in most of the countries of the world, and their forecasts in the long-medium term remain strong . The constant review that Siemens Gamesa carried out its costs and of its industrial presence ensures that the company can cope with the investments necessary to lead an energy transition that is fair and competitive.
Engagement with Navarre
Siemens Gamesa has strong roots in the regional community, where you will find your world center of engineering for the development and validation of technologies onshore.
in Addition, the company will install and test in the sierra de Alaiz (Navarra, spain) the prototype of its latest generation of turbines, Siemens Gamesa 5.X. In this setting, the company has performed the validation of their wind turbines onshore , benefiting from its proximity to the engineering center. The nacelle of the prototype will be assembled in the plant of Siemens Gamesa Ágreda (Soria), while other components, such as the gearbox or the generator, drawn from their Spanish factories.
“Spain is still the country where we have a greater industrial presence. In addition, we are reinforcing the activities related to the R & D, less exposed to the ups and downs of the market , and in the last two years we have added to 450 people in Navarre and the Basque Country. Moreover, the proximity of the Spanish suppliers to our center of R+D+i in the country is a great opportunity for them. Last year we had shopping to Spanish companies by 1,200 million euros approximately,” he concluded Faubel.
