Energy Minister Kwasi Kwarteng is set to affirm the 海角视频 government’s commitment to offshore wind when he makes a key address at Offshore Wind North East 2020.
Energi Coast, North East England’s offshore wind cluster, has announced that the Energy Minister will make an address during the opening session at the annual conference, billed as the place where the offshore wind sector meets to network and do business, which takes place next week.
The event attracts delegates from all areas of the offshore wind industry and supply chain, and in previous years has attracted more than 700 attendees, 60 speakers and 90 exhibitors, yet this year’s event has moved online.
The OWNE2020 conference and exhibition, sponsored for a third year by Advance Northumberland, will be held virtually on Thursday and Friday, November 5 and 6, and will cover key themes including energy transition and the role of offshore wind, the future of the floating market, innovation and global offshore wind markets.
There will also be sessions focused on North East England offshore wind projects, Dogger Bank wind farm and Sofia Offshore wind farm.
Speaking at the event, the Energy Minister is set to cement the government’s commitment to the sector after the Prime Minister announced plans to invest £160m in ports and facilities in support of the sector and highlight the importance of British companies in helping to deliver the ambitions within the 海角视频 offshore wind sector deal.
The two-day virtual event, which is sponsored by Strategic Event Partners Dogger Bank Wind Farm and Sofia Offshore Wind Farm along with Regional Event Partners, Invest North East England and Invest Tees Valley, will also provide a platform for the region’s supply chain with an online exhibition area showcasing the expertise, products and capabilities of a wide variety of companies and organisations.
Richard Wearmouth, chair of Advance Northumberland, said: “Having sponsored Offshore Wind North East for the last two years, we know the great amount of effort that is put into organising this industry showcase and the steps NOF takes to enable businesses to collaborate and network with key organisations.
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“At this year’s Offshore Wind North East we will be demonstrating the role that large-scale development sites such as Northumberland Energy Park will have in supporting North East England’s offshore wind cluster, which now more than ever has a vital role to play in the development of the 海角视频 sector, as well as at a global level.
“We applaud the NOF team for responding to the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic and creating a comprehensive programme for Offshore Wind North East, and we are delighted to be both sponsoring and exhibiting at the event.”
James Ritchie, chair of Energi Coast, said: “This will be the first time that the Offshore Wind Conference will be held as a virtual event, and it comes at a particularly exciting time for the offshore wind industry in the region.
“We welcome the Government’s commitment to the industry, and the recent announcement by the Prime Minister demonstrates the importance of offshore wind to the 海角视频’s energy requirements. North East England is fully equipped to support the growth of the industry and play an instrumental role in the 海角视频’s green recovery and net zero ambitions. We have the experience, expertise and track record to support current and future projects, which will be highly evident at Offshore Wind North East.”
Steve Wilson, Dogger Bank wind farm’s project director at SSE Renewables, said: “Offshore Wind North East is a great chance for companies in the offshore wind sector to meet and discuss opportunities in order to take advantage of this rapidly-growing sector. We’re building the largest offshore wind farm in the world and by supporting this event we can help small, medium and large-scale businesses to both compete in the 海角视频 market and potentially become global leaders in offshore wind too.”
Sofia’s project director David Few added: “The world of virtual events is evolving but right now, when meeting face-to-face is just not possible, OWNE2020 will play a vital role in helping to keep our industry, particularly in the North East, connected and thriving.”
The Offshore Wind North East event follows hot on the heels of the Global Offshore Wind 2020 conference, which takes place from today, Wednesday October 28 to Friday October 30, giving the Port of Blyth an international platform to showcase its current developments.
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The port and its partner Advance Northumberland are using the event to shine a light on a number of important developments coming to fruition in early 2021.
Both businesses have major development projects due for completion over the coming months that will provide the renewables sector with significant and timely quayside developments opportunities as offshore wind developments in the North Sea ramp up.
Port of Blyth is close to completing a £3m redevelopment project at its Bates Terminal, while elsewhere on the estuary Advance Northumberland’s landmark development of the £32m Northumberland Energy Park will see the first phase available from Spring 2021.
Meanwhile, the port also used the global event to announce that Blyth Harbour Commission has made two key non-executive appointments to its board, with Paul Hardisty, former executive director at Royal IHC, and Richard Turner, current CEO at BEL Valves and non-executive director of the Offshore Wind Growth Partnership, both joining as commissioners to help drive forward ambitious growth plans relating to opportunities in the offshore energy and renewables sector.