PICK OF THE WEEK ON THE BOX
BASE READY TO BECOME ‘A VITAL PART OF THE BRAVE NEW WORLD’
HUNDREDS of jobs could be created on the South Humber Bank after an international manufacturer in the offshore wind supply chain selected Able Marine Energy Park for a UK base.
South Korean monopile producer SeAH is looking to create 400 jobs at the North Killingholme site, after confirming its intention to establish a facility.
One of the leading pipe manufacturers in the world, it would bring the first such production to the UK. A memorandum of understanding has been signed, with Able UK executive chairman Peter Stephenson stating the site is now ready to become “a vital part of the brave new world”.
He said: “The offshore wind sector is potentially on the cusp of something very special. We have a clear and unambiguous policy from Whitehall through the Sector Deal in the Industrial Strategy, and the increasingly demanding targets for both power generation and the extent of UK content. “Combine this with the sector’s extraordinary efforts in terms of developing new products and significantly reducing costs and the sector is set to become a dominant factor in a post Covid-19 UK economy.
“However, to make the most of this ‘brave new world’, and to deliver 60 per cent UK content we must act now to capitalise on this singular, but time-limited opportunity. “Able Marine Energy Park can and will play a vital role in this process to, first and foremost, provide purposebuilt heavy-duty deep-water quays and, just as crucially, a large expanse of adjacent supporting hinterland - 353 acres.
“Unless we can put in place these key building blocks the status quo will prevail and the aspirations to maximise UK activity will be further diminished.
“SeAH are one of a number of manufacturers with whom we are at similar stages of negotiation. “SeAH have fully embraced the concept of establishing a new ‘world-scale’ industrial cluster for offshore wind on the Humber and with it the overarching strength of the UK’s offshore wind sector.
The offshore wind sector is potentially on the cusp of something
very special.
“Subject to our receiving the necessary support the first quays will be available towards the end of 2022, to coincide with the needs of both manufacturers and the developers of the offshore wind farms.” Monopiles, which are driven into the seabed, provide the foundations for offshore wind turbines to be installed upon.
Hyungkun Nam, SeAH’s chief executive, said: “The UK has the strongest market and we intend to play an important role in the ongoing development of the offshore wind sector.
“We recognise the considerable opportunity to be the first significant UK-based monopile supplier and partnering with Able Marine Energy Park, and with it Able, as a company with such a credible track record, as the sole partner with whom we wish to progress matters.
“That is why we have signed an exclusive memorandum of understanding with Able as we seek to bring to reality what would be a significant investment with an initial annual capacity of 162,000 tons, and rising up to 320,000 tons and the prospect of providing around 400 new jobs.”
SeAH is the largest steel tube manufacturer in South Korea, with more than 60 years’ experience in producing for a variety of complex markets, including offshore wind jacket steel products for legs, bracings, nodes, and pin piles.
It has already expanded operations into the USA, Vietnam, UAE, and Italy, and states that its research and development proficiency gives it a “firm belief that our company can meet the technical challenges required for the latest XXXL monopiles”.
Councillor Rob Waltham, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This news is a significant boost for the prospects of this site becoming a major economic force locally, regionally and nationally.
“The Government has signalled its intention to support the North and is demonstrating a commitment to ensure sustainability, security and value for money in the energy markets for homes and industry. This is set alongside the Government’s ambitions to make the UK even more attractive to e nv i ronment a l global investment.” It comes after Government funding was received through the Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership to develop a multi-million-pound pumping station – “a critical piece of the jigsaw to enable site development while protecting homes and businesses,” according to Councillor Waltham. Pat Doody, chair, Greater Lincolnshire LEP, said: “This is a clear and very positive vote of confidence for this strategically significant development.
The Greater Lincolnshire LEP has already signalled its support by providing funding for the south bank wide Killingholme Marshes Drainage Scheme.”
Steve Parnaby, chair, Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, added: “We have worked with Able for a number of years to support their development plans at AMEP, this announcement is a key milestone in that development and will support further progress in our ambition for Humber to truly become the UK’s Energy Estuary.
“It is a fundamental vision that we share with many stakeholders.”
Simon Bird, ABP Humber’s Regional Director, said: “We welcome today’s announcement and look forward to working with AMEP to develop further the growing North Sea Offshore Wind Sector, from offshore wind component manufacturing, assembly, installation and maintenance through to green hydrogen production, carbon capture, use and storage.
“The Humber, as the UK’s Energy Estuary, is making a major contribution towards meeting the UK’s net zero carbon emissions target and ABP plays a vital role in delivering that aspiration.” Teesside-based Able UK brought forward the £450 million scheme for the ‘big space in the right place’ in 2009, but it has yet to attract an investor, coming close with both Orsted and Innogy (now RWE).
Peter Stephenson