Civic leaders welcome Prime Minister’s £160m boost for offshore wind industry
NEW support for the “green industrial revolution” has been welcomed by leading public figures on the South Humber
Bank.
Last week Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a £160 million fund for ports and factory investment to support the next generation of offshore wind turbine manufacture as the capacity target for 2030 was raised 33 per cent to 40GW.
He specifically mentioned the Humber as a beneficiary, with Able Marine Energy Park at North Killingholme identified as a key element in the onward development of a sector in which Britain leads the world - pulling on strong international supply chains. MP Martin Vickers, whose Cleethorpes constituency the “big space in the right place” sits, said: “I am delighted by the Prime Minister’s announcement. The Humber is the UK’s energy estuary and I am pleased to see it get the recognition that it deserves. “There are a huge amount of exciting and pioneering initiatives currently taking place in our region and it is very welcome that the Government have thrown their full support behind it, including additional funding.”
The ink was still drying on an agreement between Able UK and South Korean steel monopile producer SeAH when the announcement came.
“The Government has pledged to give people the chance to train for the new jobs that are being created and it is vital that these are open predominantly to local workers,” Mr Vickers said. Neighbouring constituency Grimsby is already home to the world’s largest operations and maintenance cluster, and only getting bigger as both Orsted and RWE build out new wind farms in the near North Sea.
MP Lia Nici said: “The offshore wind industry will be able to provide skilled jobs and high-quality training for local people, so this is a very welcome announcement and recognises the value that the Humber area can contribute to the whole economy.”
Pat Doody, chair of Greater Lincolnshire LEP, described it as a “welcome further boost” for the Humber estuary region “ripe for significant development,” in the sector, with freeports and enterprise zones highlighted too. He said: “Greater Lincolnshire is already at the forefront of the growing offshore wind energy revolution and its supply chain, with thousands of jobs being created. “Grimsby is home to the UK’s largest cluster of operations and maintenance and the whole area has real opportunities for a decarbonisation sector. “Working with the Midlands Engine and the private sector we have significant ambitions to further develop this into a globally competitive sector. This has been evidenced by our financial support for Able Marine Energy Park, which is set to play an increasingly important role in the offshore wind energy revolution.”
A £4.3 million pot has been secured to fund drainage infrastructure at the AMEP site, including a pumping station. Councillor Rob Waltham MBE, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said: “The confidence from Government in this region is again clear to see and I welcome this commitment to levelling up across the regions.
“This combination of public and private-sector investment will be critical to renewing and redeveloping the economy as we move forward. High-skilled, sustainable jobs will be created and prosperity will only increase further.” Councillor Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, said: “We welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to green energy.
“Grimsby is a world leader in the development of operations and maintenance facilities for the offshore wind farms in the southern North Sea with the global giants Orsted and RWE choosing to base themselves here.
“Not only that, but the recent investment by the ORE Catapult in a Centre of Excellence at our port confirms our key credentials. Our access to those offshore sites is unparalleled, and as demand for green energy increases, we know we have the facilities to grow further as part of the Energy Estuary.”
HERE’S another stunning selection of images – all taken by keen local amateur photographers. They have submitted their images as part of the Grimsby Telegraph Camera Club.
Whether you have captured a picturesque local scene or a stunning portrait, your perfect pet, wildlife, flora, fauna or even a candid shot taken at a local event, we want you to send us your best snaps – but please remember to be careful not to venture on to private land to take them! We will then feature them in the Camera Club pages of the Grimsby Telegraph.
Each month, we will pick a particular favourite, and present the winning photographer with a fantastic prize – a £70 canvas print of the winning picture courtesy of sponsors Comley Cameras, of St Peter’s Avenue, Cleethorpes.