Siemens Gamesa has applied for planning permission to increase the size of its manufacturing facility in Hull so it can build longer blades for the latest generation of offshore wind turbines. Planning documents show the company has applied to local authorities for permission to modify and extend its existing plant and build two extra factory facilities on site. The new buildings will cover an area of some 41,600 square metres, according to planning documents. “As part of the continued drive to reduce costs to consumers, future turbines will continue to grow in capacity and this means that changes may be required in our factory operations to create the space and capability to produce blades beyond 100 metres in length,” Siemens Gamesa UK managing director Clark Macfarlane said.