Facing layoffs, shipyard workers betting on green

www.cphpost.dk
17 August 2009

Proponents say the soon-to-be closed Lindø Shipyard can become a hub of green energy research Employees at the A.P. Moller-Maersk Odense Steel Shipyard may be rescued by state funding that would turn the site into a centre for green energy research and development. Lene Espersen, the business minister, proposed the idea this past weekend during a visit to the shipyard, commonly known as Lindø.

Maersk announced the shipyard's closing last week, indicating it will take place after final orders are completed in 2012. Lindø currently employs 2,500, but Espersen believes many of the jobs can be saved if the employees' skills are put toward the development and manufacturing of materials associated with renewable energy. 'We've allocated 5 billion kroner to a pool within our business package, and it would be appropriate to look at whether some of that money could go toward securing a positive future for Lindø,' Espersen said.

Wind turbine producer Skykon has already expressed interest in establishing a plant at Lindø, but it will only go forward with its plan if it receives state financial support. 'We want to be the banner-carrier for a new knowledge centre for renewable energy at Lindø,' said Jesper Øhlenschlæger, Skykon's chief executive. 'But we can't carry the whole load. We're in a recession and it's not easy to get access to that kind of capital.' But if the company could get state funding for the project, Øhlenschlæger said he believes Skykon could employ up to 350 of Lindø's present workforce within a year.

Refrigeration and heating component manufacturer Danfoss has also shown interest in moving development of its Wave Star wave energy project to Lindø if it becomes a hub for green energy research. But Lindø Chief Financial Officer Peter Jann Nielsen said even with the government's green energy centre proposal, many Lindø employees will still be without jobs after the shipyard ceases operation. 'I can't see how any project could be done fast enough to avoid creating a fairly big hole in the overall employment numbers,' he said.