Humber Offshore Wind Sector in the Investment Spotlight
Opportunities to invest in the growing offshore wind energy sector on the North Sea coast off the Humber estuary are being promoted by the Department for International Trade.
The DIT launched its High Potential Opportunity (HPO) for the Offshore Wind Deepwater Ports Hub (Teesside and Humber) at Offshore Wind Connections 2022, a major conference in Bridlington.
The HPO showcases the investment opportunities presented by the offshore wind energy sector on Teesside and the Humber, particular for companies looking to manufacture wind turbines, towers, blades, cables and other energy infrastructure.
The UK is a leading nation in the deployment of offshore wind and currently has the largest offshore wind assets in the world.
The UK offshore wind workforce is predicted to double from 15,000 employees in 2021 to a predicted 27,000 by 2030.
Offshore wind energy in the UK is poised to grow rapidly over the next 10 years, and Teesside and the Humber presents a unique investment offer in its ability to test, develop and manufacture the necessary components and subcomponents with the large quayside needed to deploy the offshore wind farms in the North Sea and further afield.
The UK government has committed an investment of £95m for two new offshore wind ports to be constructed in the Humber region and Teesside, complementing the existing Greenport site at Hull.
This will enable large manufacturers of blades, monopiles, wind turbines, cables, large installation vessels and other supply chain companies to co-locate at these sites. The region offers a wide range of testing facilities, ample physical space for investment and a committed offshore wind cluster to support investors.
Stephen Parnaby OBE, Chair of the Hull and East Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (HEY LEP) and Pat Doody, Chair of the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, both spoke at the Offshore Wind Connections conference.
“Offshore Wind Connections is a very important event for the offshore wind energy sector and the perfect platform for the launch of this High Potential Opportunity,” said Pat.
“As the world moves towards Net Zero wind energy will play a crucial role in reducing our reliance on fossil fuels.
“We’re fortunate to have a well-established offshore wind energy sector on our North sea coast, and this HPO will help to cement our position as a world-leading cluster in this area.
“The low-carbon and energy economy is already worth £1.2bn a year to Greater Lincolnshire and employs over 12,000 people.
“The Humber Estuary is fundamentally connected with at least 25% of the UK’s energy production and the south bank of the Humber lies at the centre of an emerging offshore wind market, with the potential to create wholly new supply chains. It will become the biggest Enterprise Zone in the UK and will position the area as one of the major hubs for the renewables sector in the UK.”
Stephen Parnaby OBE said: “I am delighted to see the production and promotion of this Offshore Wind HPO to the overseas posts around the world. Collectively on the east coast we are at the forefront of offshore wind power generation industry globally, and this will continue to grow with the investment in new freeport infrastructure.
“The sector is already providing high-quality jobs and supply chain opportunities for our local companies and this will be further complemented by additional opportunities for industrial decarbonisation by providing renewable wind power to facilitate true green hydrogen production.”
The High Potential Opportunities (HPO) scheme aims to increase inward investment into the UK with the help of DIT’s global network based in 177 cities around the world.
Notes for editors:
About the Greater Lincolnshire LEP
- We are a strong partnership of private, public and education leaders driving positive economic growth across Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.
- We are improving the lives and opportunities of communities and businesses in Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.
- We are 180+ leaders harnessing our economic ambitions for Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland.
- We champion Greater Lincolnshire and Rutland as a place to live, work, play and invest.
- We are the voice for business and we champion our four game-changing sectors:
o Humber Freeport
o UK Food Valley
o Clean energy
o Defence and Security
- We also work across the manufacturing, visitor economy and health and care enterprise sectors, and work on employment and skills, innovation and business support
- We work with investors in our area, support business growth and help businesses to develop the skills they need.
- We work with schools and businesses to develop strong careers programmes that reflect local opportunities.
- We set out what Greater Lincolnshire needs to grow its economy and we secure and deliver funding from Government for our area.
- We cover an area including North Lincolnshire, North East Lincolnshire, Rutland and the administrative county of Lincolnshire.
- To find out more visit http://www.greaterlincolnshirelep.co.uk or follow us on Twitter @greaterlincslep, Facebook or Linkedin.
LEP achievements
Since our creation in 2010 we have:
- unlocked over £279 million of addition investment through our funding programmes.
- engaged with 20,000 businesses through the Growth Hub programme.
- supported a successful Humber Freeport bid bringing 7,000 jobs and £2 billion plus investment
- begun to develop a Top 10 global UK Food Valley cluster
- provided 5,000 businesses with three or more hours of dedicated support
- created 3,108 jobs
- delivered 34 transformational growth projects and programmes
- supported 2,711 learners and apprentices
About the Hull and East Yorkshire LEP
The Hull and East Yorkshire LEP serves the communities of Hull and East Riding of Yorkshire. Its role includes the following:
- Lead by providing strategic direction to those involved in growing the HEY LEP
- Influence decision makers to provide the locations and opportunities required and to take the risks necessary to grow the HEY LEP economy
- Represent the needs and aspirations of the business community in developing the economy of the HEY LEP region
- Support businesses, residents, and the workforce of the HEY LEP region to maximise their economic potential
- Deliver projects and programmes to promote economic growth
- Partner with and convene all organisations, national or local, who can facilitate delivery of our strategic priorities
- Promote the region and its economic benefits to government, other parts of the UK, the private sector, and potential investors into the region.
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