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North East offshore industry showcased to investors

The potential of the North East’s offshore industry has been showcased to business leaders and investors in a two-day event.

The North East LEP and NewcastleGateshead Initiative brought together offshore energy specialists plus the Ports of Tyne, Blyth and Sunderland to present the region’s capabilities in an event coinciding with the Blyth-based National Renewable Energy Centre’s (Narec) tenth anniversary.

The region is designated as one of the Government’s six Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (CORE), boasting one of Britain’s best infrastructures for offshore wind manufacturing through its supply chain links and skilled workforce.

Andrew Hodgson, vice chairman of the North East LEP and managing director of SMD in Wallsend, said: “The North Eastern CORE area has valuable assets which set it apart from the competition. We have generous amounts of available land – for example, 250 hectares at the Port of Tyne and 115 hectares at the Port of Sunderland.

“We have £30m growth capital specifically for investment in the LEP area – probably the largest amount of its type in the UK - and we have world-leading offshore renewable and subsea companies and R&D centres such as the recently launched Neptune centre operating from the region.

“With active support from the North East LEP and Government, a skilled local workforce and a strong supply chain, the North Eastern CORE area has a powerful package to attract international investment.”

The event included visits to the North East Enterprise Zone, the NOAH research platform off the coast of Blyth, plus the Ports of Sunderland and Tyne’s development sites. Newcastle College’s Energy Academy and Newcastle University’s School of Marine Science and Technology showed off the region’s research and development capabilities.

Jen Hartley, senior inward investment manager at NewcastleGateshead Initiative, said: “The success of this event illustrates the collaboration of the organisations involved to put together an exciting, informative tour for potential investors, in a bid to attract more overseas investment to the region.

“We’re delighted that so many business and public sector guests attended and enthusiastically took part in all aspects of the busy two day event.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Karen Dent .