Humber to showcase offshore wind industry as US delegation returns

Team Humber Marine Alliance is set to further strengthen the region’s links with the USA.

In partnership with the British Embassy in Washington DC, the Alliance will welcome the second American party to visit the Humber in the last six months, with an aim of learning more about the North Sea wind industry.

The nine-strong US government delegation, who will arrive in Hull on February 28th, are scheduled to visit Siemens, Greenport and the University of Hull on March 1st and Humber UTC, CATCH, Dong Energy and EON Humber Gateway on the south bank the following day.

West Coast states Washington, Oregon and California will be represented, alongside the eastern seaboard states that formed last September’s delegation, and the state of Hawaii has also taken a place.

Mark O’Reilly, Team Humber CEO, said: “The aim of the tour is fact-finding and gathering evidence on the socioeconomic impact of offshore wind. They will visit offshore wind facilities, academic and training establishments and meet local authorities and businesses.

“It is also another excellent opportunity to highlight the Humber Energy Estuary as a global centre of excellence for offshore wind, and renewables generally, and that our skills and experience are transferable to the US.”

“There is clearly a huge appetite in the States to develop renewables and they are extremely serious about meeting their targets.”

Mr O’Reilly added: “The inclusion of Hawaii may surprise some – it’s more famous for surfing and palm-fringed beaches than new energy – but the US division of Statoil has submitted an expression of interest in developing offshore wind energy off Oahu.

“If you add solar power, the islands can potentially source all their energy through renewables. But, like the seaboard states on mainland America, they are keen to learn from our experiences.”

Statoil, the Norwegian international energy company, is currently developing Hywind, the world’s first commercial-scale floating wind farm of Scotland’s east coast.

Tom Simchak, policy advisor on energy at the British Embassy in Washington DC, commented: “We hope the trip will be as rewarding as our previous visit. Everyone was extremely positive about it. Hull, Grimsby and Scunthorpe really did put their best foot forward and left a very favourable impression.”

Representatives from New Bedford, Massachusetts, have since visited the Humber and are keen to form sister city relationships with Hull and Grimsby.

Team Humber already has Memoranda of Understanding for future collaboration with New Bedford, the Business Network for Offshore Wind in Maryland and Virginia Offshore Wind.