AN ISLE of Wight hydraulics, maintenance and repair company is playing its part in the booming wind energy industry ­— by servicing some of the world’s largest turbine blades.

Pirtek carries out ongoing maintenance for a joint venture between the world’s largest manufacturer of wind turbines, Vestas, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, at its factory near Cowes.

MHI Vestas is one of the largest employers on the Island, with more than 700 workers, and indirectly supports many other jobs.

It makes individual 90m blades at its plant next to the River Medina, which serves as route out for the blades when they are shipped around the world.

“We do preventative maintenance during the plant’s annual two-week shutdown,” said the aptly-named Rob Gale, Pirtek Isle of Wight operations director.

“We recommend the work required ­— they don’t dispute the recommendation, they just say, ‘yes, carry on.'"

With offshore wind farms springing up around the world, there is work to be had servicing the support vessels, too.

“We did a major fit-out on a brand-new ship and we work closely with two Isle of Wight companies that make those boats," said Rob.