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How the North East plays a key role in the UK’s offshore wind industry

To mark Offshore Wind Week (November 6-10) RenewableUK, the not for profit renewable energy trade association, has released a new report which shows how the North East is a key contributor to the success of the UK’s pioneering offshore wind industry

Offshore Wind: Regenerating Regions – Investment and Innovation in the UK shows where offshore wind projects are operating, being built or planned in each area. It also contains case studies of innovative local companies working in the sector including the supply chain.

In the North East, the report highlights firms such as JDR Cable Systems in Hartlepool which designs and manufactures offshore wind cables, and DeepOcean in Darlington which carries out seabed surveys.

The Offshore Renewable EnergyCatapult testing site at Blyth is an innovation hub for the offshore wind industry – it will shortly be welcoming the world’s largest wind turbine blade, made by LM Wind Power, which is 88.4 meters long.

The region has two operational offshore wind farms (66 megawatts), 1 under construction (40MW) and a further 5 planned (4,860MW), representing enough capacity in total to power more than 4 million homes a year.

The report notes that UK-based companies already provide nearly 50% of the total content of British offshore wind farms, and that we are exporting our cutting-edge technology as far afield as China, India, Taiwan and the USA and other countries.

Richard Harrington, Energy Minister, said: “Britain is leading the world in developing offshore wind at a competitive price for consumers. New offshore wind projects will cost half as much as those proposed just two years ago, thanks to our competitive auctions, and we have committed up to a further £557 million for renewable projects.

“As this report shows, the sector is attracting investment that is helping to transform economies and communities across the country. We want to build on our successes to date and we are working with the industry as we build our Industrial Strategy.”

Hugh McNeal, RenewableUK’s Chief Executive, said: “Innovative companies in the north east of England are playing an important role in the UK’s world-leading offshore wind industry.

“This report looks at the wide range of companies in places like Hartlepool, Blyth, Darlington, Newton Aycliffe and Stokesley, as well as projects operating or being built off the coast - and plans for even bigger offshore wind farms in the future in this area.

“2017 has been a milestone year for the UK’s world-leading offshore wind industry. Record-breaking cost reductions, confirmation of new power auctions, and offshore wind placed at the heart of the nation’s Clean Growth Strategy, mean that this sector is now a key part of British industry.

“We’re creating thousands of jobs in an industry with a vibrant supply chain and attracting billions in investment to the UK.”

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