POLITICS& ECONOMY Wind farm brings jobs promise
YORKSHIRE’S HOPES of becoming a hub for the green energy industry have taken a major step forward with the go-ahead for an offshore wind farm which will be the first of its kind in the world.
Hornsea Project One could help create up to 2,500 jobs and will see as many as 332 turbines built 64 miles off the Yorkshire coast.
The Government yesterday approved the scheme which will be the first gigawatt-scale ‘far from shore’ wind farm in the world when it begins operating in 2020.
The windfarm is being developed by SMart Wind, a joint venture of Mainstream Renewable, Siemens and DONG Energy.
Andy Kinsella, Mainstream Renewable Power’s chief operating officer, said: “Hornsea Project One is part of the essential new infrastructure that has driven major investment in the Humber economy and ensures a low carbon future for the area.”
Benj Sykes, DONG Energy’s vice president of UK wind power, said: “Development consent for Hornsea Project One is very welcome.
“This is an exciting project that will be a world first in terms of its size and location, and it has the potential to power up to 800,000 UK homes.”
The announcement follows the commitment by Siemens earlier this year to built a wind turbine assembly plant at Hull’s Alexandra Dock and a turbine blade manufacturing facility in nearby Paull.
The go-ahead was also given for the Able Marine Energy Park on the Humber’s South Bank in October although port operator ABP has suggested it will ask for a judicial review of the decision.
The Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, the body tasked with growing the area’s economy, has said it wants the Humber to become the “energy estuary.
LEP chairman Lord Haskins said: “We welcome their approv- al. We have a new and growing market on our doorstep and good news such as this feeds the momentum behind the Humber’s development as the UK’s Energy Estuary.”
Friends of the Earth campaigner Simon Bowens said: “This is fantastic news for the blossoming offshore wind industry on the North Sea coast.
“Offshore wind is providing clean, reliable energy, while creating jobs and boosting energy security far more effectively than fracking.
“The UK could be an offshore wind powerhouse, but the Gov- ernment must show much greater ambition if we are to reap the full benefits and continue to drive down costs in the years ahead.”
Hornsea Project One will cover an area of around 400 square kilometres.
It is receiving backing from the Government through one of its new ‘contracts for difference’ which effectively guarantees the supplier a minimum price for the power they generate.
A Public Accounts Committee report published earlier this year criticised the way early contract for difference were awarded to several projects including the Hornsea windfarm.
The report said Ministers had “failed to adequately secure best value for consumers.”
Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “With around 2,500 local green jobs on the horizon, this is another great boost for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.
“Making the most of Britain’s home grown energy is crucial to creating job and business opportunities in the UK, getting the best deal for consumers and reducing our reliance on foreign imports.”