Siemens Gamesa
Profile
Wind turbine manufacturer Siemens Gamesa was created in April 2017 by the merger of Gamesa in Spain with Siemens Wind Power in Denmark. It owes its success to the generous subsidies for wind power provided by states like Denmark and Germany, over the last four decades. (However, after it made record losses, Siemens Gamesa was bought up by Siemens Energy in 2023.)
Gamesa opened a factory in Pennsylvania to win U.S. government support such as loan guarantees to export $159 million worth of wind turbines to the Honduras for the 102 megawatt Cerro de Hula Wind Farm in 2010. Yet the Lenca people of Rio Blanco, led by the Consejo Cívico de Organizaciones Populares e Indígenas de Honduras (COPINH), say that the operators of the Cerro de Hula Wind Farm simply took over their lands and destroyed their rural livelihoods.
Onshore wind turbines, offshore wind turbines, wind turbine services.
Siemens Gamesa was profiled as part of the report "Green" Multinationals Exposed: How the Energy Transition is Being Hijacked by Corporate Interests.
Violations
| OFFENSE | PENALTY |
|---|---|
| workplace safety or health violation | £549,608 |
| workplace safety or health violation | £76,106 |
(November 13, 2023)
Stories
- Greenwashing Occupation: How Morocco’s renewable energy projects in occupied Western Sahara prolong the conflict over the last colony in Africa by Western Sahara Resource Watch (2021)
- Renewable energy (in)justice in Latin America by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre (2021)
- Human Rights in Wind Turbine Supply Chains Update 2019 by Action Aid & Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) (2019)
- The conflict over wind energy in Mexico: Participation, discourses and the unequal shaping of natural conditions in the Isthmus of Tehuantepec by Rosa Lehmann (2019)
- The EU and the Corporate Impunity Nexus by Multinationals Observatory (2018)
- The ELA union in Nafarroa: one hundred years of transformation and struggle (1911-2011) by Ivan Gimenez (2012)
- Steps on the way to the solidarity economy by the Association for the Promotion of the Solidarity Economy (2011)
Activism
Spain: The Siemens Gamesa workforce is protesting in Sarriguren to demand "employment guarantees"
Navarra.com | November 15, 2022
In a press release, the ELA union warns that while the company is conducting layoffs that will end next year, it has also announced that when Siemens Energy takes over Siemens Gamesa "additional adjustments and changes in the working conditions of male and female employees" will be made.
Spain: The entire Gamesa workforce in Lerma will go on an indefinite strike due to the dismissal of two employees
Gabriel de la Iglesia | Burgos Conecta | May 3, 2022
The hundred workers at the Siemens Gamesa factory in Lerma will go on strike starting this Wednesday in protest of the dismissal of two colleagues who, in the opinion of the works council, did not receive the proper justification.
Spain: Saharawis denounce Siemens Gamesa at AGM
Western Sahara Resource Watch | March 25, 2022
The Spanish company is installing energy infrastructure for the Moroccan government in occupied Western Sahara. In 2021, the biggest project to date began, with the controversial Boujdour farm, in partnership with the Moroccan king's personal company.
Spain: Saharawis demonstrated against Siemens Gamesa
Western Sahara Resource Watch | December 3, 2021
A group of Saharawis gathered today in front of the headquarters of Siemens Gamesa in Bilbao, Spain, to protest against the company's involvement in Moroccan energy projects in occupied Western Sahara.
Spain: Worker strike at the doors of Siemens Gamesa in Cuenca
Las Noticias de Cuenca | January 27, 2021
Siemens Gamesa staff will protest this Wednesday, starting at 12 pm, at the gates of the factory in Cuenca, coinciding with the second consultation meeting of the proposal to close the wind power plants Os Somozas (manufacturing) and Cuenca (repairs) and lay off all their workers (215 and 51, respectively).
Spain: Demonstration in Pamplona against the closure of Siemens Gamesa in Aoíz
Cinco Días | July 11, 2020
Hundreds of people have participated in a demonstration this Saturday in Pamplona against the closure of the Siemens Gamesa plant in the Navarra town of Aoiz, that will mean the loss of employment for its 239 workers.
Spain: “Women get promoted when there is no alternative”
Euskal Sindikatua | July 11, 2020
They have decided to focus their union activity on the fight for women's equality in their respective workplaces. Both work for companies that define themselves as modern – Grupo Acciona and Siemens-Gamesa, respectively – but, in reality, neither company can really claim to have gender equality.
Spain: We are once again criticizing the destruction of jobs at Gamesa
LAB Sindikatua | February 15, 2018
Today, February 15, the LAB union has shown its solidarity with the workers of the Gamesa Miranda plant by attending the rally called in Zamudio at 2:00 p.m. Once again, we reiterate our solidarity with the colleagues from Miranda de Ebro, as well as criticize the destruction of jobs by Gamesa.
Germany: Siemens Gamesa employees strike
Søren Springborg & Mathias Ørsborg Johansen | EnergyWatch | January 24, 2018
All employees at Siemens Gamesa's factory in Cuxhaven, Germany have initiated strikes Wednesday, according EnergyWatch's information.
Spain: Workers from Siemens Gamesa protest against job cuts
Vincent West | Reuters | November 28, 2017
Workers from Siemens Gamesa protest against job cuts, outside the renewable energy company's headquarters in Zumudio, near Bilbao, Spain, November 28, 2017. Banner reads 'Siemens Gamesa. Liars.'
Germany: Protests against Siemens plans
Deutsche Welle | November 17, 2017
Siemens also has problems in the renewable energy business: the merged wind turbine subsidiary Siemens Gamesa has already announced that 6,000 jobs will be cut.
Siemens Gamesa in Denmark hit by major strike
Søren Springborg | EnergyWatch | June 8, 2017
Discontent over the layoff of a union delegate has prompted strikes Wednesday and Thursday among Danish employees of wind turbine major Siemens Gamesa.
International:
- ActionAid
- IndustriALL Union
- Multinational Observatory in Latin America (OMAL)
- Western Sahara Resource Watch (WSRW)
Spain:
- Basque Workers Solidarity (ELA)
- Committee of Patriotic Workers (LAB)
- General Union of Workers (UGT)
- Trade Union Confederation of Workers' Commissions (CCOO)
- Workers' Trade Union (USO)
Other:
- Association of Ethical Shareholders - Germany
- Centre for Research on Multinational Corporations (SOMO) - Netherlands
- IG Metall - Germany
- Multinationals Observatory (ODM) - France
- Peace Brigades International (PBI) Mexico
- Unite the Union - United Kingdom
& Lawsuits
US law firms launch Siemens Energy 'securities fraud' probe over Gamesa wind unit woes
Andrew Lee | ReCharge | September 21, 2023
Siemens Energy has been threatened with class action lawsuits in the US for “securities fraud or other unlawful business practices” over the collapse in its share price following disclosure of major quality issues at the Siemens Gamesa wind turbine unit.
Western Sahara: Siemens Energy in total split
Western Sahara Resource Watch | February 8, 2023
The CEO of Siemens Energy denounces the occupation of Ukraine, but does not “have the mandate to take a political position on such issues or to confirm a territorial status” in the occupied territory of Western Sahara where the company operates for the Moroccan government.
Siemens Gamesa loses UK patent dispute over GE wind turbines
Sam Tobin | Reuters | November 30, 2022
Judge Richard Meade of London's High Court on Wednesday said Siemens, which had sued GE claiming that the Haliade-X infringed its European patent related to the use of bearings in rotor hubs for wind turbines, did not have a valid patent.
Spain: Siemens Gamesa finds internal irregularities, 11 cases of fraud and 13 dismissals due to sanctions
Juan Cruz Peña | El Confidencial | December 9, 2021
After a months-long investigation, Siemens Gamesa has confirmed the allegations and indications of potential violations of its internal policies and procedures. Such irregularities have been revealed at its Indian subsidiary and a limited number of subsidiaries in other jurisdictions...
Report: Morocco uses green energy to embellish its occupation
Western Sahara Resource Watch | October 6, 2021
By 2030, half of Morocco's wind energy production could be generated illegally in occupied Western Sahara. Yet, Morocco presents itself as best-in-class on the energy transition.
Western Sahara: Siemens, Enel blacklisted by asset manager over international law concerns
Western Sahara Resource Watch | January 14, 2021
Siemens Gamesa, Siemens Energy and Enel Spa have been excluded by Norway's largest private asset manager for contributing to violations of international law in occupied Western Sahara.
Ukraine: Siemens turbines turn up in Crimea despite sanctions
Maz Plechinger | EnergyWatch | July 10, 2017
The German conglomerate has been drawn into an international geopolitical conflict involving EU sanctions and election promises from Putin. Siemens denies the allegations but has announced an investigation.
Mexico: Wind Farms and Concerns about Human Rights Violations in Oaxaca
Peace Brigades International Mexico | March 14, 2014
While wind energy is recognised globally as a cleaner, more environmentally friendly alternative to fossil fuels, in the case of Oaxaca, the development of wind farms has been linked to a significant increase in human rights violations including threats, intimidation, surveillance, acts of aggression, shootings, and killings.
Western Sahara: Siemens starting up controversial wind project on occupied land
Western Sahara Resource Watch | March 5, 2013
Despite ongoing protest, German multinational Siemens is currently in the process of shipping windmill parts to El Aaiun, occupied Western Sahara. The company is partnering with the same royal family that brutally occupied the territory.
Environmental Impacts
Italy: The wind farm on the Gomoretta plateau: How renewable energy will be a disaster
Stefano Deliperi | Alghero Live | October 13, 2022
The project, widely contested by the local population, is set to be built on an area of environmental value with an agro-pastoral economy, largely wooded (holm oak, oak, cork oak, Mediterranean scrub) and protected by landscape restrictions and hydrogeological restrictions...
'The Sacrifice Zone': Myanmar bears cost of green energy
Dake Kang, Victoria Milko & Lori Hinnant | AP News | August 9, 2022
Their cost is environmental destruction, the theft of land from villagers and the funneling of money to brutal militias, including at least one linked to Myanmar’s secretive military government. As demand soars for rare earths along with green energy, the abuses are likely to grow.
RES probes UK Siemens Gamesa turbine fire at UK onshore wind farm
Craig Richard | Windpower Monthly | April 26, 2022
RES is investigating why a Siemens Gamesa wind turbine caught fire at a project that it manages in the east of England, UK.
Denmark: Siemens Gamesa Shares Drop as Turbine Parts Fall in the Sea
William Mathis | Financial Post | April 6, 2022
While there’s no indication that the issue with the Siemens Gamesa turbine is more than a fluke, Orsted is calling for a to stop maritime traffic near all of its sites that use the machine. That includes another Danish wind park, a handful of sites off the coast of the U.K. and a wind farm in German waters.
Turbine down | Brazil wind farm collapse sparks Siemens Gamesa probe
Andrew Lee | Recharge News | February 2, 2022
A turbine collapse in Brazil has sparked an investigation by OEM Siemens Gamesa and the wind farm’s operator. A Siemens Gamesa G90 2MW machine came down at the Arizona wind farm run by Iberdrola subsidiary Neoenergia on 30 January.
Investigation indicates FSC-certified company intentionally used fire to clear Indonesian forests for palm oil
Greenpeace International | November 12, 2020
A groundbreaking investigation by Greenpeace International and Forensic Architecture indicates that Korindo – an Indonesian-Korean plantation and energy conglomerate whose customers include multinationals like Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy – intentionally used fires as part of the process of clearing vast areas of forest in remote areas of the Indonesia province of Papua.
& Relations
Wind-Turbine Maker Siemens Gamesa Lays Off 2,900 Workers
The Maritime Executive | October 2, 2022
The layoffs will affect 2,900 employees globally. Denmark will take the biggest hit with 800 job losses followed by Spain with 475, Germany 300 and the United Kingdom another 50. The company said that further reductions are planned in other countries across the world, with details for all affected countries being worked out in negotiations with workers’ councils.
Spain: The worker of a Gamesa subcontractor dies in a work accident
El Faradio | May 12, 2022
In solidarity, the CCOO and the UGT unions will observe a minute of silence as a sign of mourning for the worker who died yesterday at Gamesa Electric (Reinosa) in a work accident.
United Kingdom: Energy company fined after worker suffers multiple injuries in fall
Miran Rahman | The Business Desk | March 19, 2021
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy had provided a ladder to access to the web but they had not provided any fall protection either side of the ladder.
Siemens Gamesa closes its Spanish factories to take them to Portugal and employ cheaper labor there
Revista RD Energia | January 19, 2021
This is according to the UGT union, which has asked the wind turbine manufacturer to take back the layoff proposal that affects 266 workers directly and 300 workers indirectly at the Somozas (Galicia) and Cuenca blade factories.
United Kingdom: Union slams Siemens Gamesa as Hull offshore wind plant restarts after coronavirus check
Andrew Lee | Recharge News | April 1, 2020
Siemens Gamesa will restart operations at its Hull offshore wind facility today amid trade union anger and questions over whether the factory counts as an “essential industry” in the coronavirus pandemic.
Germany: Siemens Gamesa is picking out the raisins at Senvion
Reuters | September 16, 2019
The Siemens wind power subsidiary Gamesa only wants to take over the most attractive parts of the insolvent wind turbine manufacturer Senvion... According to the IG Metall union, the Spanish-German investor only wants to take on 500 of the 1,400 employees in Germany.
Siemens Gamesa merger has incited major internal unrest
Søren Springborg & Mathias Ørsborg Johansen | EnergyWatch | January 19, 2018
The large-scale merger of Spain's Gamesa and Danish-German Siemens Wind Power has become a thorn in the side of many employees at the new wind turbine major. Internal power struggles and large cultural clashes mean that employees are looking to leave the company after what they call a chaotic marriage between the two firms.
Spain: Gamesa unions fear a second layoff process
Economía Digital | October 28, 2012
The announcement by Gamesa to lay off 1,800 workers worldwide between now and the first quarter of 2013 has raised doubts in the unions of the wind turbine manufacturer. Specifically, ELA, one of the three large union representations of the company, fears that the number of dismissals will rise in the coming years.
Financials
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Political Influence
Open Secrets - Tracks corporate lobbying of US politicians.
OpenSecrets.org Profile of Siemens Energy (parent company)
Import & Export Data
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- ImportYeti profile of Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy A S
Siemens Energy’s Troubled Wind Takeover Haunts Green Push
Thomas Gualtieri & Wilfried Eckl-Dorna | Bloomberg | December 19, 2022
With Siemens Energy AG taking full control of its troubled Gamesa unit, executives finally have a clear path to fix a business that’s delivered three years of straight losses.
Spanish unions criticize Siemens Energy's Gamesa plans
Thomas Gualtieri & Wilfried Eckl-Dorna | Bloomberg | November 18, 2022
Spanish trade unions accuse Siemens Energy AG of not taking jobs and plants in Spain into account when taking over the Gamesa wind energy division. According to a document seen by Bloomberg that Spanish unions submitted to the regulator, Munich has made “no commitment whatsoever to maintaining an industrial structure in Spain” or the jobs dependent on it.
Western Sahara: Siemens Gamesa planting trees for occupation
Western Sahara Resource Watch | March 25, 2022
“We planted 808 trees in Boujdour, Morocco”, Siemens Gamesa boasts, as it for the umpteenth time forgets which country its controversial project is actually located in.
Western Sahara: Siemens Gamesa with new large deal for occupied Western Sahara
Western Sahara Resource Watch | November 2, 2020
"We condemn Siemens Gamesa for its lack of respect for basic human rights", stated Western Sahara Resource Watch, calling on investors to terminate ongoing engagement processes and exclude the company from their portfolios. The company has yet again signed a large contract for what it refers to as "Southern Morocco".
Western Sahara: Siemens Gamesa massively prolongs plunder windmill contract
Western Sahara Resource Watch | December 7, 2018
95% of the energy needed by Morocco to plunder the phosphates of Western Sahara is delivered via SiemensGamesa windmills. The company has now prolonged its service contract for the controversial windmills for another 15 years, while continuing to refuse to comment on Saharawi consent.
Procurement
CorpWatch is still gathering procurement data on Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy at this time.