So-called ‘green’ jobs are a case of easy come, easy go. The wind and solar ‘industries’ that gave birth to those jobs simply can’t survive without massive and endless subsidies, which means their days are numbered.
With the axe being taken to subsidies across the globe, their ultimate demise is a matter of when, not if.
The wind back in subsidies across Europe has all but destroyed the wind industry: in Germany this year a trifling 35 onshore wind turbines have been erected, so far.
Twelve countries in the European Union (EU) failed to install “a single wind turbine” last year.
And, as a result, the manufacturers of turbines and solar panels are dropping like flies, as subsidies are rolled back across Europe.
The only thing ‘inevitable’ about the ‘transition’ to all wind and sun powered future is bankruptcy for wind and solar outfits, the moment the subsidies get cut.
Of course, before these outfits wind up in insolvency, they generally attempt to shed a ‘few pounds’, by sacking their workers in droves. Which is exactly what Danish turbine maker, Vestas is doing right now.
Wind turbine maker Vestas cuts 600 staff in Denmark and Germany
Wind turbine maker Vestas said on Friday it would lay off 590 people at blade factories in Germany and Denmark to rein in costs and cope with a squeeze on prices as state subsidies fall.
Vestas said it would halve it workforce at its factory in Lauchhammer, Germany by cutting 500 jobs, while about 90 workers, paid by the hour, would be laid off in Lem, Denmark.
“Today’s very competitive industry and the fast-moving energy transition means we must introduce new products and solutions where and when the market requires them,” Chief Operating Officer Jean-Marc Lechene said in a statement.
The announcement comes a day after the firm’s main rival Siemens Gamesa said it would lay off up to 600 staff in Denmark as it grapples with falling prices for its products.
Vestas said it would be investing in other blade types driven by demand for its new EnVentus platform, which is built on a modular design to enable more customized turbines to be produced without expanding the number of components.
Vestas is seeking to move to more scalable manufacturing to ensure mass production of wind turbines stays profitable at a time of lower prices for turbines and rising costs due to the U.S.-China trade war.
Governments from Europe to Latin America have been reducing subsidies offered for wind power supply contracts.
Source: Stop These Things
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