THE VISION “One crucial factor in this is
UK contractor VolkerFitzpatrick is building the 40,000sq m blade factory and a large adjacent car park. VolkerFitzpatrick is supported by Hull-based Neville Tucker Ltd, which has been awarded a £12m subcontract for electrical and mechanical services. Humber-based business Clugstons has been appointed by Siemens to construct a 12,300sq m service and logistics facility and has begun preparatory works.
Finbarr Dowling, Hull Project Director, said Siemens was committed to driving regeneration and to playing its full part in realising the economic potential of Hull and the Humber.
He added: “Our facilities at Alexandra Dock will be a flagship for green energy manufacturing, reinforce the Humber as the UK’s renewables region and open up a wealth of opportunity for local people and businesses.
“Siemens is not the answer to all Hull’s challenges, but we can play an important part in addressing them. Our bold move to invest in the UK offshore wind industry by creating these facilities in Hull can be a major catalyst for regeneration. It can stimulate other investments and positive developments.”
A BOOST TO THE UK SUPPLY CHAIN As the UK’s largest investment in offshore wind, Green Port Hull is not just valuable to the people and businesses of Hull and the East Riding. It is an asset to the UK renewables supply chain as a whole.
“Green Port Hull is receiving a lot of interest, as it’s the largest investment in offshore wind in the UK,” said Mark Jones, Director of Regeneration at Hull City Council, who is a key partner in the Green Port Hull project.
demonstrating the value of UK business. Renewables is a new industry for us and it’s not about subsidies – it’s about creating real economic activity, here in Hull and across the country. So far, Green Port Hull has generated 800 jobs, and these roles are in a region of the UK that needs more employment opportunities. Supply chain opportunities are so valuable and we are working closely with local companies and contractors to enable as much work as possible to remain within Hull and the East Riding.
“Global interest is gathering momentum too, with supply chain companies keen to set up here and collaborate with UK suppliers. We need to push the UK Government policy position to provide a stable environment for investment, in the knowledge that the industry is focused on cost reduction that can be embedded through co-location here in Hull.
“Our objective is to secure as much investment into the city as possible and help our businesses capitalise on this opportunity.”
GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES ON A LOCAL LEVEL
While internationalisation is great for the UK wind supply chain in terms of inward investment, the team at Green Port Hull is committed to keeping as many supply chain opportunities within the region.
To ensure this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity becomes a reality, Hull City Council and East Riding of Yorkshire Council, along with partner organisations, devised the Green Port Growth Programme. With an investment of £25.7m, the programme, which is supported by the Government’s Regional Growth Fund, is designed to capitalise on the renewable energy opportunities. It aims to develop indigenous business growth within the sector and secure long-term economic growth and employment for the region.
THE PROGRAMME DELIVERS ACTIVITY THROUGH SIX BUSINESS STRANDS… • Employment and Skills Development • Site Assembly • Inward Investment • Business Support and Advice • Business Investment Grants • Research, Development and Innovation (RDI)
Dawn Hall, project manager for the Business Support strand, is already seeing local companies make the most of supply chain opportunities. She said: “We’ve already supported over 150 local businesses through advice and funding. One company in our region that has benefitted is Boston Energy, which provides recruitment services to the energy sector. Since securing funding to invest in equipment and specialist training for staff, the firm has strengthened its relationship with Siemens and is hoping to expand into Europe by looking at a number of joint ventures and collaborations.”
Bob Ferraby is project manager for the Employment and Skills Development strand.
He said: “We have a firm picture of what businesses need in terms of skills and around 600 people from more than 200 local companies have improved their skills, putting some real strength in the workforce and making this area more attractive to businesses in the renewables sector.
Key strands for local businesses are Business Support and Advice, and Employment and Skills Development.
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www.windenergynetwork.co.uk
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