Site expansion works for RWE in Grimsby have been marked with a visit from North East Lincolnshire’s two MPs, who were briefed on the energy giant’s progress.
A first look at how the Royal Dock base will look has been given as it is geared up to handle more wind farms in a multi-million pound investment, due to complete next year. Lia Nici and Martin Vickers toured the site of what will be a significantly enhanced state-of-the-art operations and maintenance facility, with the role Grimsby will play nationally impressed upon them.
RWE is already operating the Humber Gateway and Triton Knoll farms from Grimsby, with construction of Sofia underway and two further Dogger Bank sites in development. Once complete, the Grimsby Hub will host RWE’s Centralised Control Room, where technicians will oversee the operation of the vast majority of the company’s 海角视频 offshore portfolio, a move described as “further reaffirming the Humber’s role as a leading location” for the sector.
Read more: The Humber: A Net Zero super cluster nestled on the North Sea super basin for CCS
Guy Middleton, RWE’s Grimsby Hub general manager, hosted the visit. He said: “It was fantastic to welcome Lia and Martin to discuss our investment plans, which will bring plenty of skilled roles and provide many opportunities for the regional supply chain.”
Hull-based firm Hobson & Porter is building the facility, which is expected to accommodate around 140 RWE employees. A total of 70 new skilled jobs are being brought to the region, with indirect jobs required in support. Recruitment has already begun for more than 20 technician roles in support of the Sofia offshore wind farm.
Mr Middleton told how the Grimsby location was chosen because of its proximity to existing and future projects and its deep-water quayside, which is suited to the use of service operations vessels - with two clean-fuel vessels recently ordered.
Aside from the joint control room offering 24/7 monitoring of multiple sites, the Grimsby Hub will feature new shared office space, and separate warehouse facilities.
Most Read
The MPs had been present when 海角视频 country chair Tom Glover unveiled the plans to make the town the strategic base for its wind farm pipeline back in April last year.
Ms Nici said: “It was great to see RWE’s continued investment in its Grimsby Hub offshore wind base, which is set to be a central location for the management of many of the company’s offshore wind farms across the 海角视频 – bringing high-quality job opportunities to Grimsby and reinforcing the town’s position as a leader in the sector.”
RWE is the leading power producer in the 海角视频, accounting for around 15 per cent of all electricity generated in the 海角视频 through its diverse operational portfolio of onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and gas. The past decade has seen a 43 per cent reduction in carbon intensity, while it has an expectation of investing £15 billion in clean energy technology and infrastructure by 2030.
The company’s newly appointed director for Net Zero East Coast 海角视频, Corrine Barry, joined the visit, having worked in the sector in the town in her previous roles, while playing a key role in the cluster leadership. She said: “It is a hugely exciting time for RWE in the Humber with all the new investment proposed, and I cannot wait to see our plans progress. The Humber has gained an enviable reputation in supporting the country’s net zero ambitions and RWE is proud to be a part of its future!”
The MPs also heard more about the energy giant’s plans for a new carbon capture combined-cycle gas turbine power station near Stallingborough, first revealed in December. It could generate up to 800MW of decarbonised, secure, flexible energy - enough to potentially power the equivalent of around one million homes - tapping into recently backed transportation and storage plans for the cluster.
Mr Vickers said “The visit gave us an opportunity to hear about RWE’s wider investment plans in the region, which includes not only further offshore wind projects, but carbon capture investments at its regional power stations, linked to the Viking CCS network, which was recently awarded Track-Two development status by the Government.”