RenewableUK says today’s Government announcement granting final planning permission for a huge industrial base for the offshore wind sector on the east coast of England is a significant step forward which could lead to the creation of thousands of jobs.
The £450 million project, Able Marine Energy Park, which covers nearly 800 acres of the south bank of the Humber, has the potential to create up to 4,000 high-quality jobs supplying components for offshore wind turbines, as well as providing an assembly and installation base for North Sea projects.
RenewableUK’s Deputy Chief Executive, Maf Smith , said:
“This is a real cause for celebration in this season of good cheer, not just for Able Marine Energy Park, but for the whole offshore wind sector in the UK. It is testament to a continuing sense of long term confidence in the offshore wind sector, which is at the very heart of our green energy future.
“This announcement could be the catalyst for further investment in the region. Alongside recent announcements of investment in Grimsby, this shows how offshore wind is bringing real opportunities to regions like the Humber.
“Offshore wind, and the supply chain it is building, could createtens of thousands of green-collar jobs to coastline communities in areas where they’re needed most”.
The news of this final planning decision comes the week after Able Marine Energy Park signed a Memorandum of Understanding with STRABAG Offshore Wind GmbH for a major new production facility for the mass production of foundations for the offshore wind sector in the UK. STRABAG’s investment has the direct potential to create up to 500 jobs.
Also last week, the Prime Minister’s office announced a landmark Hull and Humber City Deal to make the most of the area’s local strengths to create jobs and boost growth in the area. Commenting on the announcement, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg said: “This City Deal marks the beginning of a new era of growth and prosperity in the Hull and Humber. The engineering expertise in the area is among the best in the world, and this deal provides the means to improve it even more. As the green economy becomes ever stronger, the people and businesses of Hull and Humber can be optimistic that it will be in the vanguard of the economic recovery.”
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Press release, December 18, 2013; Image: ukti