AROUND BRITAIN

5

In these times of ever-increasing global competition and economic challenges, it is somewhat refreshing to be able to report on an industry where the UK is well and truly leading the way across the globe, namely offshore wind. According to Energy and Climate Change Secretary, Chris Huhne, the UK offshore wind sector is “blowing away the competition”, thanks to an ideal climate and geography, an established supply chain, cutting-edge facilities, a skilled labour force and a government committed to developing some of the world’s biggest infrastructure projects for wind energy. These will deliver enough green power to meet the equivalent annual electricity demand of more than fi ve million UK homes, and help the country meet its target of generating 15 per cent of its energy supply from renewable sources by 2020.

One of the UK’s leading areas for offshore wind, along with places such

10

as Scotland, Yorkshire, East Midlands, North Wales and East Anglia, is the North East. In 2000, the region became the site of the country’s fi rst offshore wind farm, and, at the time, one of the world’s largest offshore turbines, off the coast of Blyth, Northumberland. The plant has been producing enough clean and renewable electricity to power 3,000 average households ever since.

This was followed, in 2002, by the establishment nearby of the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NAREC), which has facilities for testing the largest wind turbine blades in the world. “The North East was essentially the birthplace of the UK’s offshore wind industry,” says Nick Medic, head of offshore wind at energy trade association RenewableUK. “Thanks to the Blyth installation and NAREC, there was an immediate sense that the region was leading the way in terms of innovation, R&D and deployment.

15 wind of change

The North East is embracing a new industrial era with its fast-growing offshore wind sector. Lorraine Shah reports

“These early advantages were really important for the North East, helping it to establish a reputation. As a result, it is now an emerging hub of excellence in offshore wind, that is increasingly attracting big industry names such as Tata Steel, Clipper Windpower, Vestas, TAG Energy Solutions and JDR Cables.”

NEW DEVELOPMENTS Building on such early promise is a number of globally leading, industrial-scale offshore wind developments currently underway in the North East. They include Teesside Wind Farm, an offshore wind power facility now under construction near Redcar. Consisting of 27 turbines, it will produce 200Gwh/y of clean, green, pollution-free electricity and offset the annual release of approximately 200,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide. In addition, a licence has been granted to develop an offshore wind farm in the Dogger Bank zone, lying

springboard | 35