Vestas has opened an engineering design centre in Porto, Portugal, to further strengthen its global research and development setup, further strengthening its industry-leading investments in research and development. The centre will be responsible for developing core technology for Vestas’ product portfolio and is part of Vestas’ existing research and development (R&D) setup, which includes sites in the UK, Norway, Germany, India and the company headquarters in Aarhus, Denmark. The new Centre effectively expands Vestas’ already strong, global R&D organisation.
The company has begun recruiting for the new Centre, which is expected to employ at least 80 people by the end of 2017 and several hundred engineers when fully ramped up in 2020. The Porto area offers access to a breadth of skills in areas that Vestas is looking to recruit, namely electrical, mechanical and software engineering. The proximity to leading universities and other research institutions of a high standard is key to choosing Porto and Portugal.
“Vestas already leads the industry in R&D investments and by establishing an additional engineering design centre, we strengthen our R&D capabilities through the broad pool of talent available in the Porto region. Vestas’ product portfolio covers all wind classes across the world and with this investment we underline our technology leadership and ambition to lower the cost of energy faster than anyone in wind energy,” says Executive Vice President and CTO Anders Vedel, Vestas.
The engineering design centre will work as an independent hub, driving the development of systems for Vestas’ global product portfolio. The centre will thus foster cross-disciplinary and personal development in a project-oriented and international organisation that makes a positive impact by changing the world’s energy mix.
The company is currently evaluating different locations in the Porto region to set up the Centre. Until a more permanent location is found and becomes available, Vestas will be operating from offices at the Science and Technology Park of University of Porto (UPTEC).
Vestas claims to be the energy industry’s global partner on sustainable energy solutions. It designs, manufactures, installs, and services wind turbines across the globe, and with more than 83 GW of wind turbines in 75 countries, it has installed more wind power than anyone else. Through its industry-leading smart data capabilities and unparalleled more than 73 GW of wind turbines under service, it uses data to interpret, forecast, and exploit wind resources and deliver best-in-class wind power solutions. The company believes that together with its customers, Vestas’ more than 22,000 employees are bringing the world sustainable energy solutions to power a bright future.
Image: Courtesy of Vestas Wind Systems A/S