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Northumberland’s flagship Energy Central project set for official launch this week

A new offshore energy location aiming to bring investment into Northumberland is officially launching this month.

Energy Central, based in Blyth, is located on the East Coast of the UK and provides access to nearly 200 hectares of land.

Hoping to attract offshore energy sector businesses looking to relocate and grow in Northumberland, the scheme will officially launch at London’s Global Offshore Wind 2017- the largest offshore wind conference and exhibition in the world - exhibition from June 6th until June 8th.

Over £30m of government funding has supported commercial development on key Energy Central sites, as well as a continued programme of investment in both development and site preparation.

£25m will support a programme of remediation and reclamation to prepare Northumberland Energy Park Phase 1, improving the capabilities of its dedicated dock access, and unlock a significant opportunity for businesses needing direct quay access.

Arch, the Northumberland development company, and the Port of Blyth are promoting a selection of strategic development sites across the Blyth Estuary in Northumberland.

These include four vacant sites with Enterprise Zone status offering financial incentives – Northumberland Energy Park, Bates Terminal & Wimbourne Quays, Dun Cow Quay and Commissioners Quay –and established sites South Harbour and Battleship Wharf.

Such sites, together with a number of key assets such as the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, a Port training centre and a collection of Newcastle Universities research facilities, make up Energy Central.

The quayside location on the Blyth Estuary is well connected by road, rail and air and the energy sector in the area is supported by an established supply chain, a skilled workforce and a pipeline of talent.

The site is ideally located for offshore wind projects, the decommissioning of oil and gas assets in the Northern, Central and Southern North Sea sectors and fabrication, mobilisation and demobilisation for new and existing oil and gas fields in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.

Martin Lawlor, Chief Executive at the Port of Blyth said: “We are happy to be working in partnership with Arch to deliver this strategic project.

“The Port of Blyth has a great deal of expertise and a consistent track record in supporting the delivery of large scale projects across the energy sector.

“Energy Central offers an ideal location for companies looking for access to markets including offshore wind energy assets in the North Sea.”