GE plans layoffs in its onshore wind sector

General Electric is preparing to reduce headcount in its onshore wind segment as part of restructuring measures and adjustment of business activities, Reuters reported. The agency learned that GE’s employees in North America, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa have been notified about the layoffs.

Boston-based General Electric is about to start laying off workers in its onshore wind turbine sector in a bid to turn the business around, Reuters reported, citing unnamed sources. The onshore wind turbine industry faces weak demand, rising costs, and delays in the supply chain.

The cuts will affect 20% of the workforce in the industry sector in the United States and employees in Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. The article adds the company intends to reduce the number of workers in Europe and Asia-Pacific as well. GE operates in 42 countries worldwide.

At the end of last year, GE employed 38,000 workers in its onshore wind sector, the largest in the company’s renewable energy businesses.

The wind turbine sector is struggling with soaring prices of raw materials and supply chain pressures that started with the COVID-19 pandemic and were exacerbated by the war in Ukraine.

The wind turbine industry is struggling with soaring prices of raw materials and supply chain pressures

Siemens Gamesa, GE’s competitor in the wind turbine market, recently announced it would reduce the number of employees by 10%, mainly in Europe. The Hamburg-based company presented a plan to lay off 2,900 workers by 2025. The remaining major European wind turbine manufacturers are suffering losses for similar reasons.

According to the said report, the company acknowledged that it is streamlining operations in the segment of onshore wind turbines and ancillary activities to adapt to changes in the market. But GE did not comment on the allegations of layoffs. The company has not yet made a public announcement about the plans.