Since the acquisition of the Portuguese Senvion plant, located next to a strategically located port, at the end of April, the trade unions ignited all the alarms for the possible influence on the Aoiz plant. Following speculation in recent weeks about the future of the Navarre plant, the Works Council met on Monday with the Director of the Labour Service of the Government of Navarra, Javier Zubicoa.

In particular, Siemens Gamesa 19: In 59 he informed the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV) of the closure of the Aoiz plant, ending an 11 year project in this locality.

The company's president, Andreas Nauen, since 17 June, has justified the measure in view of "improving long-term competitiveness". He explained that the aerogenerator model they manufacture in Aoiz, with a 132 meter rotor, "does not correspond to the conditions of the global wind market." This market, according to Nauen, "is characterized by high competition and price pressure that has reduced the margins of wind turbine manufacturers".

Lack of competitiveness as an excuse

In this context, the company has specified that the production of other types of wind turbines will be key to increasing the company’s competitiveness. The company considers that "the center of Aoiz is not competitive for the production of these large blades". In addition, the Navarra locality "is more than 200 kilometers from the nearest port", unlike the plant of Portugal, which is located.

Eleven years ago, when he had not yet allied with the German Siemens, geographical distance was not an obstacle to Gamesa, which remains a leader. In 2009 the construction of this plant was completed and three years later its manufacture began.

"We've made a very difficult decision, and we know the influence it has on our community and our workers. We will do our best to help those affected," explained Alfonso Faubel, head of the Siemens Gamesa land wind line, who has already taken similar decisions on other occasions, such as the closure of Delphi in Cadiz (Andalusia) and the dismissal of 2,000 workers.

239 jobs

Upon notification of the measure to the National Securities Market Commission (CNMV), the management contacted the Works Council (six representatives from ELA, four from LAB, two from UGT and one from CCOO). The company will submit a contract termination case for 239 people.

Negotiations with workers’ representatives will be opened in the coming days, in accordance with current regulations. According to UGT and CCOO, in recent weeks they have had contacts with the Spanish Government to defend the jobs of Siemens Gamesa, but the company has not accepted a feasibility plan in the Navarre plant, in comparison with the centres it has in Cuenca and As Somozas.

Black Decade in Navarra

It should be remembered that in Navarre they have also closed two other plants in the last ten years: Alsasua (2010) and Tudela (2013), as well as Imarcoain. Once the work was done, Siemens Gamesa showed its commitment to Navarra, as "the global engineering center for the development and validation of Onshore technologies is there", according to the company at the time. In addition, the state-of-the-art turbine produced by the company, which has been manufactured in Gipuzkoa, will be installed and tested in the Sierra de Alaitz.

The Government of Navarra has reported that it is in contact with the Spanish Government to seek the best option to act after receiving this news.