AROUND BRITAIN

DID YOU KNOW?

Across the UK, the offshore wind sector employs more than 3,000 people

The North East is home to the UK’s fi rst wind tower training facility

As of October 2011, there were 310 operational wind farms in the UK, with 3,421 turbines and 5,767 MW of installed capacity

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about 100-150km off the North East coast, construction of which is set to commence in 2014. The region is also well-placed to service nearby major offshore wind projects in the Moray Firth and Hornsea.

“The Dogger Bank project is a truly colossal development,” states Medic. “It offers the potential to generate almost a tenth of the UK’s electricity needs and will be the furthest offshore wind power zone in the country so far. This will

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require a completely new supply chain, offering tremendous opportunities for businesses across the North East.” “Tyneside is the closest UK location to Dogger Bank,” says David Coppock, regional director of UK Trade & Investment in the North East. “Local ports are ideally located to support the development, with land, quayside, infrastructure, direct road and rail links, commercial units and a skilled workforce.”

WINNING COMBINATION The North East has a number of advantages which have helped it to attract offshore wind business. “The success of the offshore wind industry in the North East is down to a particular combination of geographical location, industrial tradition and a long- standing interest in, and commitment to, renewable technology,” explains Medic. “The region is positioned in a

The UK is ranked as the world’s eighth-largest producer of wind power

The UK is estimated to have more than a third of Europe’s total offshore wind resource – more than any other country

Between January and June 2011, 101 of the 108 offshore wind turbines in Europe were constructed around the UK coastline

very convenient location in terms of the North Sea, an area which is highly conducive to offshore wind development because of its shallow water depths. The North East is closest to the major North Sea wind power development areas – beating regions in countries such as Germany, the Netherlands and Belgium. Companies who base themselves there cut down on things like transportation and logistic costs. “Moreover, the North East has a long tradition of servicing the oil and gas industries – expertise and experience that it can transfer to offshore wind. Companies in the region have a tremendous pool of knowledge that they can draw upon.” “Thanks to its strong heritage in heavy engineering, the North East has the most developed offshore wind supply chain in the UK,” agrees Coppock. “Local industry built 70 per cent of the North Sea oil and gas platform capacity,