Massive UK Industrial Base for Offshore Wind Moves a Step Closer

RenewableUK has welcomed today’s Government announcement that it is minded to grant planning permission for a huge industrial base for the offshore wind sector on the east coast of England as a significant step forward which could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.

This is a positive step forward for the £450 million project, Able Marine Energy Park, which covers nearly 800 acres of the south bank of the Humber and moves it a step closer to unlocking the potential to create up to 4,000 high-quality jobs supplying components for offshore wind turbines, as well as providing an assembly and installation base for North Sea projects. RenewableUK is now looking forward to examination of the two issues contained in the announcement so that a final decision can be reached as there has already been a significant delay.

 RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Maf Smith, said:

 “Today’s announcement marks an important step forward in the development of the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing sector. This project demonstrates the massive scale of the opportunity we have to revitalise coastal areas around the country, creating tens of thousands of green-collar jobs by focussing specifically on marine renewables.

 “Development of sites like this will be important in building a national and regional cluster of supply chain companies.. We know that the Government wants to take more time to look at certain aspects of the decision, and we look forward to their swift examination of these details so that we can get a green light once and for all and the project can start providing the economic boost for the area that we know it can.

 “This summer has proved to be a watershed season for the UK’s offshore wind industry. The Prime Minister David Cameron officially opened the world’s largest offshore wind farm, London Array, and Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg opened the Lincs offshore wind farm. Looking ahead, Government has given planning consent to an even bigger project, Triton Knoll, to be built off the east coast of England. This means that the work is out there for ports to capitalise on.. We know that the UK is the top destination for offshore wind investment and this is the type of project we need to make sure British companies and workers feel the benefits of that investment.”

This news comes on the same day as the UK was once again confirmed as the number one country in the world for offshore wind investment. This was confirmed by the August 2013 edition of the Renewable Energy Country Attractiveness Index (RECAI) produced by leading professional services firm Ernst and Young.

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Press release, August 28, 2013; Image: amep