A major milestone has been reached in a £32m investment to develop one of the 海角视频’s leading deep-water offshore energy bases.
The former Blyth Power Station Enterprise Zone is being transformed into the first phase of Northumberland Energy Park, a new dock which will provide significant opportunities for the growing cluster of companies operating in the offshore energy and subsea markets.
Work has now started on the building of a temporary works cofferdam – a watertight enclosure which will be pumped dry to permit construction of a new dock below the waterline.
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The Northumberland Energy Park forms part of Energy Central, a partnership between Advance Northumberland, Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, offering almost 200 hectares of strategic, quay linked development sites.
The new dock is being funded by a £32m public sector investment and will become an extension of the current dock facilities.
Work is set to be completed on the project by May next year, paving the way for companies to have direct access to a 50m by 210m deep water berth on the River Blyth. Dredging work will almost double its current depth and the dock will also have jack-up barge vessel capability.
Nearby Battleship Wharf, which is also part of the Energy Central cluster, has an additional four deep water berths, while there are additional marine facilities at The Port of Blyth.
Northumberland Energy Park Phase 1 is based on the site of the old Blyth Power Station facility, a pair of coal-fired power stations which were demolished between 2001 and 2003, offering 36 hectares of development land, including a North East Enterprise Zone site where businesses receive up to 100% capital allowance for investment in plant and equipment.
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Further development is planned for the 35 hectare Phase 2 and the 95 hectare Phase 3.
Energy Central is already home to offshore organisations including Royal IHC, Enshore Subsea, Global Marine, Osbit, EDF Energy, Rapid Manufacturing Services and TEXO Group.
The scheme aims to maximise the potential of the site, to attract investment from the offshore energy industry and capitalise on growth in the sector and ultimately create hundreds of jobs.
Richard Wearmouth, chair of Advance Northumberland, said: “With Northumberland Energy Park Phase 1, we are building on Blyth’s heritage in power generation, transforming a site previously associated with the fossil fuel industry and turning it into a major asset for the renewable energy sector, while supporting the 海角视频’s shift to clean growth.
“With its exceptional dock, transport and power infrastructure, and prime position within the thriving Energy Central cluster, Northumberland Energy Park Phase 1 offers a highly attractive opportunity for investors – and will reinforce Blyth’s international standing within the offshore wind industry.”
Helen Golightly, chief executive of the North East LEP, said: “Offshore wind is highlighted in the region’s Strategic Economic Plan as being an area of opportunity for growth, with the potential to create more and better jobs in the region.
“Northumberland Energy Park will play a key role in exploiting this opportunity which is why we have invested more than £19 million into the Phase 1 site remediation and infrastructure, which includes £4.4m of Local Growth Fund funding. The new dock will further enhance the site which already benefits from Enterprise Zone status, making it a very attractive offer for investors.”
Martin Lawlor, chief executive of Port Of Blyth, added: “The development of the Northumberland Energy Park site will make a significant contribution to the ongoing growth in the offshore industry on the Blyth estuary, supporting the existing operational assets at the Port of Blyth and helping the 海角视频 achieve its low carbon supply chain targets in the renewables industry.”