Member Article

"Potential disaster" for Humber as dispute between ABP and Able over Marine Energy Park heats up

The Humber’s renewable energy industries have been dealt ‘a potentially disastrous’ blow according to Able as Associated British Ports lodged objections to the proposed Marine Energy Park.

This will apparently mean “further lengthy delays” in gaining the final go-ahead for the multi-million pound Able Marine Energy Park, and according to Able, the hopes of creating thousands of jobs, although ABP disputes this.

This comes after a decision by senior figures from the House of Commons and the House of Lords that the petitions lodged by ABP must be considered by a joint committee of both Houses of Parliament.

The plans for the Marine Energy Park already have Government approval and chairman Peter Stephenson warned that if the process results in backing ABP’s proposed changes to the plans then ‘AMEP, quite simply, will not happen.’

ABP has petitioned against the decision by the transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin to grant a Development Consent Order for the Able Marine Energy Park, covering over 900 acres at Able Humber Port.

Associated British Ports commented on the dispute saying: “ABP are pleased with today’s decision that it is right for Parliament to review Able UK’s plans for AMEP.

“We also welcome the view expressed by the committee chairman at today’s hearing that both parties should work to reach a compromise as soon as possible.

“Special hearings in front of a Parliamentary Committee will now follow and ABP are extremely keen that swift progress is made.

“The decision is undoubtedly a positive step forward and can now pave the way for a compromise to be agreed that will successfully deliver both AMEP and ABP’s Immingham Western Deepwater Jetty without further delay.

“ABP’s compromise proposal will not threaten any of the jobs Able UK hopes to create.

“Developing both projects will deliver the best result for the Humber economy as a whole and the largest number of jobs for the region.

“A compromise will also ensure the Port of Immingham, the UK’s largest port, will be able to continue to grow, increasing its vital contribution both to the economy and to national energy security.

“A compromise is the right outcome for the Humber and we urge Able UK to come to the table and work with us as quickly as possible.”

Peter Stephenson, Able’s executive chairman, countered this saying: “However much ABP wish to spin the so-called ‘compromise’ the reality is that their actions would destroy the most important development in the area for decades.

“If they were to succeed in using an outdated Special Parliamentary Procedure to overturn or alter the Secretary of State’s approval for AMEP, they would be responsible for blocking a project which offers a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform the economy of the entire region.’

“The alleged ‘compromise’ that ABP has put forward is that we should make a major reduction in the length of the quay at AMEP in order to avoid including the now infamous small area known as the ‘Killingholme triangle’ which the Government has given us the go-ahead to acquire and that it is needed for the development.

“ABP know full well that this simply isn’t feasible and I do not want anybody to misunderstand the serious nature of the situation…if they succeed then quite simply AMEP will not happen.

“What makes it worse is that ABP is using a procedure which is totally out of date and which Parliament has actually abolished…unfortunately too late for the AMEP application.

“It will certainly cause a lengthy delay—a recent application considered under this procedure took over 500 days to complete—and will inevitably lead to damaging uncertainty amongst potential developers and investors.

“ABP continues to ignore the overwhelming wish of the entire local community—Members of Parliament, the local authority, the Local Enterprise Partnership, the local business community and the thousands of people who stand to benefit from AMEP.

“ABP’s rushed through concept known as the Immingham Deepwater Jetty is a clear wrecking tactic and, even if it ever went ahead, would create at best around 50 jobs compared to the 4,000 potential jobs that could be generated by the Able Marine Energy Park.

“There is a sharp contrast between the position we have taken in consistently welcoming and supporting ABP’s own plans for major wind energy developments at GreenPort Hull and the position they have adopted in trying to block our proposals at every turn.

“In fact it is very much our efforts that established the sectors interest in the Humber. ABP, of course, have a virtually monopoly on the Humber but protecting that dominance is no justification for putting at risk the economic wellbeing of the entire area.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .