The Isle of Wight has made a disproportionate contribution to Britain's industrial economy for decades, even though it is isolated. The Vestas wind turbine plant on the island, which is controlled by the Danish giant, once stood as an example of the way isolated towns could be included in the renewable energy economy. It produced 279-foot-long blades, which were shipped to the mainland aboard specialist vessel Blade Runner Two. But in recent months, the crossings have diminished, the New York Times reported.

Vestas announced it was slashing radically at its Isle of Wight factory. With foreign demand trending towards longer blades for offshore windmills, the firm viewed the island plant as too small to compete. Although an agreement with the British government allows the factory to produce

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