£130m offshore wind investment to create and safeguard hundreds of North East jobs

A new multi-million pound investment from government and industry is set to create and safeguard hundreds of jobs in the North East renewables sector.

More than 440 offshore wind production jobs will be created and safeguarded across the region thanks to £130m of investment announced today (September 28).

Offshore wind cabling manufacturer JDR Cable Systems Ltd is receiving funding from the government’s £160m Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme.

Together with private investment from the company, the cash injection will see £130m invested in facilities that will develop and build components for next generation wind turbines.

The investment will also be used to build a new factory in Cambois near Blyth, as well as protect jobs at the firm’s existing facility in Hartlepool, with more than 440 jobs being created and safeguarded in total.

Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng commented: “The UK’s offshore wind sector is a major industrial success story, but we need to ensure local workers and manufacturers fully reap the economic benefits of this booming industry.

“This major investment is a perfect example of how our transition to a low carbon economy can attract new industries, create jobs, reduce our reliance on unreliable fossil fuels and generate export opportunities as we build back greener from the pandemic.”

Tomasz Nowak, Chief Executive Officer at JDR, added: “As the energy transition gathers pace and the UK’s offshore wind sector continues to thrive, turbines are growing taller and farther from shore, calling for higher voltage subsea cables.

“We’re delighted to build on our legacy as a leading provider of subsea cables to the offshore energy sector by investing in this new facility.

“We’re also delighted to continue our investment in the North East of England, and in bringing new jobs to Cambois, Blyth and Northumberland. Our proposed facility is strategically located to capitalise on the rapidly growing and largest offshore renewable energy market in Europe.”