SIEMENS INTERVIEW
SIEMENS ON THE HUMBER
SIEMENS ANNOUNCEMENT When Siemens announced in March this year that it was investing £160 million in a new wind turbine blade factory in Paull, East Yorkshire and related assembly and logistics facilities at Green Port Hull, it was a clear signal to the UK offshore wind industry. This long-awaited decision was widely heralded in political and industry circles as a 'game-changer' that could help unlock other 'green' investments and possibly also usher in a new period of growth for the renewables sector.
Whatever the long-term shape of the industry there is no doubt that Siemens’ investment and the related £150 million investment of its partner Associated British Ports in harbour development at Green Port Hull, has boosted industry confidence and given a new lease of life to the Humber region’s aspirations to become a renewable energy hub.
Wind Energy Network takes a detailed look at Green Port Hull and what it could mean for the region.
THE WINDIEST CORNER OF EUROPE The UK is blessed with an abundance of wind and is currently the largest market for offshore wind in Europe having grown significantly from 1GW in 2010 to its current figure of 3.6 GW of installed offshore capacity (UK total is 10GW). Just over the same amount (3.8 GW) is either in construction or has planning approval and a further 7.8 GW is in the planning system. Estimates for installed capacity by 2020 range between 10-14GW which means that the UK is well on the way to achieving its renewables targets.
Despite this growth, it has not been an easy ride for wind over the last few years. The industry has just emerged from a four year long process of energy market reform, which has transformed government support mechanisms from Renewable Obligation Certificates (ROCs) to Contracts for Difference (CfD).
This long and complex process created much uncertainty along the way.
However, at the end of the process the industry is still in good shape, albeit trimmer than anticipated in the heady days of 2010 when the original Round 3 offshore wind programme was announced. The new support mechanisms may even make non-balance sheet financing easier and more attractive. There is some evidence
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
A SEMINAL INVESTMENT Siemens announcement of its decision to go ahead was a seminal moment for the UK wind industry, for the region and for Siemens. The investment helps boost the UK’s credentials as a major market and investment arena for offshore wind, provides confidence to the wind industry and gives hope to a region keen to become a hub for renewables development. For Siemens the investment enhances its
for this. In May this year it was announced that 8 projects would go ahead under the Final Investment Decision Enabling for Renewables (FID-ER) process and 5 of these are offshore wind, with around 3GW of capacity supported.
Most significantly, the outcomes of EMR were enough for Siemens to give a green light to its investment plans in Yorkshire.
HULL & HUMBER SPOTLIGHT ON
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