Isle Of Wight Chosen As Home For New Large Structures Innovation Centre

The Isle of Wight is set to become home to a new national Large Structures Innovation Centre (LSIC), in what’s being described as excellent news for the Island.

The National Composites Centre (NCC), working with the University of Bristol, has confirmed the new facility will be based on the Island. The centre will support the development and testing of large, high-performance structures, with an initial focus on next-generation wind energy.

The LSIC will operate as an open-access national facility, helping businesses bring new products to market more quickly and sustainably, while strengthening the UK’s leadership in large-scale composite manufacturing and clean energy technologies.

Isle of Wight West MP Richard Quigley welcomed the announcement, comparing its significance to the arrival of wind turbine manufacturing on the Island 25 years ago.

He said the centre would strengthen the UK’s capability in wind turbine blade development and other large carbon-fibre structures, while creating new opportunities for the Island.

The new centre will build on existing links with industry, including Vestas, which has long-standing operations on the Isle of Wight.

The LSIC will complement Vestas’ manufacturing work by providing a platform for full-scale blade development, testing and process innovation.

The announcement follows confirmation that Vestas has secured a £20 million government grant to help protect local jobs and transition its operations to produce the next generation of wind turbine blades.

Mr Quigley said the investment reflects renewed confidence in the Island’s potential for growth and highlights its importance to the UK’s renewable energy future.