Two major offshore wind developments for the near North Sea have been welcomed by a leading industry figure, as the bulk of the sector’s future pipeline is now anchored firmly in range of the Humber.
The Crown Estate’s Round Four leasing, just launched, opens up further huge swathes of seabed off the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coasts, with the largest two of only four areas around the 海角视频 now unlocked.
And today's auction round for renewable energy generation has seen the existing Dogger Bank proposals rewarded.
Where they and their supply chains land will be crucial in the creation of hundreds more jobs.
The company behind one, Innogy, is already establishing itself in Grimsby to serve Triton Knoll offshore wind farm.
It is hoped the largest in the Contracts for Difference release, Sofia – a 1.4GW development off the Teesside / North Yorkshire coast – could be served from the town too, while three other farms neighbouring it are also up for grabs.
Mark O’Reilly, chairman and chief executive of Team Humber Marine Alliance, said: “When you look at the maps the Humber is definitely the sweet spot, we have the facilities and the space, it is all there for the taking, and it can only strengthen what we do.
“We have been talking about Dogger Bank for years, it is an interesting one, as it has an association with the North East, but the Humber offers comparable sailing.
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“It is another part of the pipeline and we would hope it will attract additional investment to our part of the world, especially when looking at Round Four as well.
“We are going to have a pipeline for many years and that is going to create next level investment.”
Associated British Ports has been keen to look north of the Hornsea cluster, with the first two of four farms emerging there to become world leaders – and served from Grimsby.
While the off-Lincolnshire Triton Knoll was the focus for Innogy at Grimsby Renewables Partnership’s 2019 conference, Sofia was also given a strong billing to delegates.
Mr O’Reilly said: “Innogy, with Sofia, I would like to see that investment, and it could be a similar pattern to Orsted in terms of the evolving development we have seen there on the port.
“Then, looking wider, we may see new people too – there’s still potential for original equipment manufacturers to come.
“I would like to think the existing cluster, from the blade building to the operations and maintenance, puts us in a good place.”
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Location to the development areas was also seized upon by ABP.
Simon Bird, ABP Humber director, said: "Today’s welcome announcement from the Government further underlines that the offshore wind sector is going from strength to strength. The Humber ports are at the centre of this energy revolution and we are ideally positioned to benefit from future growth in the months and years to come."
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