A leading figure in the Humber has told how the region has never had such a compelling narrative to attract investment with the opportunity thrown up by the world’s biggest challenge.
Bill Walker, chair of place promoting organisation Marketing Humber, has reflected on what 2021 has brought - with COP26 and the attention it has afforded the climate emergency clearly recognised.
Years of collaborative work establishing the ‘Energy Estuary’ and its Net Zero credentials have come to the fore through the most trying of circumstances in his first full year in post.
Read more: £285m green energy auction opens paving the way for next huge offshore wind farms
Offshore wind’s leading role in the green industrial revolution has been highlighted, with Able Marine Energy Park’s emergence front and centre.
Introducing his organisation’s , Mr Walker said: “2021 has been a particularly challenging year in which we have all had to adapt to the ‘new normal’. No Humber business has escaped the impact of the pandemic and, of course, for many individuals it has been an extremely difficult time. Yet we have also seen many inspiring regional examples of resilience, investment, resourcefulness, diversification and innovation.
“The 海角视频 has the world's largest offshore wind energy market. It will grow still further with the development of the new offshore wind port in the Humber.
“Prime Minister Boris Johnson said there is “no better place in the world to build a new offshore wind port” than the Humber, after confirming the £75 million investment in Able Marine Energy Park.”
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More than a decade in the making - with two manufacturers now committed and orders coming in - it is part of the freeport success of 2021, also highlighted by Mr Walker.
“We were delighted to launch Humber Business week with a special event on Humber Freeport - described by government as the best of submission for such prestigious status,” he said - referring to one of 19 events hosted in the calendar year.
“The success of ABP and partners was a triumph for committed regional businesses working in collaboration.”
Looking to the wider Humber region, he said: “Siemens Gamesa has outlined plans to invest £186 million to double the size of its already outstanding wind turbine blade factory in Hull. Further large scale investment in innovative developments continues at Drax, Orsted, Phillips 66, Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, SSE Thermal and Equinor to name but a few.”
And a project linking the many elements together was also spotlighted.
“Another cause for celebration this year was the East Coast Cluster being selected as one of the 海角视频's first two game-changing carbon capture and storage projects, involving our partners from Zero Carbon Humber,” he said. “It is said that around 50,000 new jobs will be created across the Humber with the onset of the hydrogen economy. The world’s biggest challenge certainly is this region’s biggest opportunity.
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“Indeed the Humber has never had such a compelling narrative securing unprecedented levels of funding and investment. This positive profile continued through another successful Waterline Summit before reaching a thrilling crescendo with a fantastic representation at COP26, where the Humber story was presented to world leaders on a range of platforms.”
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