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Leaders back North East for new GE plant

Key players in the region’s energy sector have backed the North East as an ideal base for a new wind turbine factory to be built in the UK with the creation of 1,900 jobs.

American superpower General Electric (GE) has drawn up plans for the plant and is now on the hunt for a UK site which will ultimately supply offshore wind farms.

The multinational is reportedly analysing a handful of potential sites and GE has told bdaily that it is “too early” to say whether the North East is a contender.

However, with the North East’s growing reputation as a hub for green energy and its established supply chain, major industry and political players have put their weight behind calls for GE to consider the region as its new home.

Mitsubishi, Clipper and Vertical Wind Energy are among the national and international companies that have already committed their futures in wind energy to the North East.

According to North MP Dave Anderson – a member of the House of Commons energy and climate change committee - GE would reap the benefits of following in their footsteps.

Mr Anderson, who represents Labour in Blaydon on Tyneside, said: “ We offer a skilled, flexible workforce, a network of low carbon industries and research facilities that are second to none.“

Ray Thompson at regional development agency One North East said: “North East England’s strengths in engineering, the availability of quayside locations and our investment in Narec (New and Renewable Energy Centre) has already attracted leading players in the offshore wind industry.

“With 75% of the economic value lying of the East coast, the region is well placed to capitalise.”

Also championing the case for GE to come to the North East, NOF Energy chief executive George Rafferty said: “If you look at the history and tradition in heavy engineering in the North East and the supply chain, the region is well placed to benefit significantly from offshore wind, while the skilled workforce meets the requirements of the industry.”

Tony Gordon, CEO, Vertical Wind Energy - which recently relocated it headquarters from Ireland to Prestwick near Newcastle International Airport - said: “For the North East to exploit this opportunity and to further capitalise on its low-carbon economic area status it needs to grab as much of the £60m funds earmarked for the development of port sites to support offshore wind turbine manufacturers, such as GE, looking to locate new facilities in the UK and secure low carbon manufacturing jobs.”

Meanwhile, Andrew Mill, CEO of Narec, said: “The North East is well placed to take advantage of offshore wind and the GE investment provides more good news for the sector.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .