New support for the ‘green industrial revolution’ has been welcomed by leading public figures on the South Bank of the Humber.
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.
The ink was still drying on an agreement between Able UK and steel monopile producer SeAH when the announcement came at the Conservative Party’s virtual conference,
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.”
Offshore wind enjoyed huge exposure with Mr Johnson setting out how it could power every home in the country within a decade, with that and the 60,000 jobs forecast by then plastered across newspaper front pages.
“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.”
With North and North East Lincolnshire now wholly part of Greater Lincolnshire Local Enterprise Partnership, following a political withdrawal from the Humber entity when government enforced single membership, co-operation on pan-Humber industry specific advances has been agreed.
Pat Doody, chair of Greater Lincolnshire LEP, 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 for the sector and the whole area has real opportunities for a decarbonisation sector, enhanced by the £75m Zero Carbon Humber proposal to Government by 12 of the largest businesses in the Humber region.
“The Prime Minister’s announcement is a welcome further boost for offshore wind energy production in the Humber estuary region, which is ripe for significant development in terms of freeports, enterprise zones and further growth in offshore wind energy, operations and maintenance, and manufacturing.
“Working with the Midlands Engine and the private sector we have significant ambitions to further develop this sector into a globally competitive sector in northern Lincolnshire and beyond. 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.
“As we navigate a path to a stronger economy post-Covid it’s vital that we support investment, innovation and job creation in new, greener and cleaner technologies and help the Government to achieve its target of net zero emissions by 2050.”
A £4.3 million funding stream was secured to support drainage infrastructure at the AMEP site, including a pumping station.
Cllr 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 latest announcement follows quickly from one of the world’s leading steel pipe manufacturer, SeAH, signing a memorandum of understanding with Able UK.
“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.”
Across the border, Cllr Philip Jackson, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, pointed out what had already been achieved, along with what can still come. He 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.”
