Delegation to showcase region’s strengths

The North East and Tees Valley’s offshore wind sector is heading to the global stage as a regional delegation prepares to showcase its expertise, infrastructure and investment opportunities.

Businesses, ports and regional organisations will attend WindEnergy Hamburg from September 22 to 25, an international industry event expected to attract around 43,000 attendees from 100 countries and 1600 exhibitors.

The delegation is being led by Energi Coast, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority and Tees Valley Combined Authority.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “Taking our offer to WindEnergy Hamburg is about showing the world what we have delivered and how we have all the ingredients to deliver more.

“We have the ports, the land, the skills and the supply chain to help drive the next generation of offshore wind growth.

“This is a huge opportunity to bring in more investment to create high-quality jobs.

“We already do a huge amount in the sector and we’re growing fast.

“We want to cement our position at the heart of this industry and make our ambitions for even more growth a reality.”

Kim McGuinness, North East mayor, added: “We are the English home of green energy with one of the strongest and most established offshore wind clusters in the world.

“But we want to go even further.

“Through my Plan for Green Jobs, we're going to double the number of green jobs in the North East to 50,000 in the next decade, including 10,000 in offshore wind.

“The North East is a global leader in clean energy, advanced manufacturing and industrial development, and our message to investors is simple: if you want to invest in the region’s offshore wind market, we can help you do it.”

The delegation will showcase the region’s offshore wind supply chain, port infrastructure and specialist skills, alongside around 8500 acres of developable land.

Ports on the Tees, Tyne and Wear, together with the Port of Blyth, offer deep-water access and heavy-lift capabilities to support North Sea developments.

Strategic sites including Teesworks and Blyth Energy Central will also form part of the region’s investment proposition, complemented by the North East Investment Zone and Teesside Freeport.

Its innovation capabilities are further supported by assets including the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre and CPI.

Eastgate Engineering, Kinewell, Steel River Quay and Shepherd Offshore are among the businesses joining the delegation, alongside the ports of Blyth, Tyne, Middlesbrough and Sunderland.

Officials say the event provides an opportunity to attract investment, forge international partnerships and demonstrate the region’s ability to support clean energy projects on a global scale.

Joanne Leng MBE, chief executive of NOF / Energi Coast, added: “The Energi Coast cluster, owned and operated by NOF, continues to lead the way.

“The cluster has over 25 years’ experience in offshore wind and is recognised globally for bringing decades of experience and expertise to the sector.

“Most of the businesses in the cluster are already taking their expertise to the global market.

“The Crown Estate has said a new offshore wind leasing round in 2027 could accommodate around 6GW or more, predominantly off the coast of North East England.

“Energi Coast is ready to embrace the opportunity for further offshore wind farms locally, and the businesses in the region will work collaboratively on shallow fixed, deep fixed and floating developments as they present in the future.

“This leasing opportunity is set to create up to 10,000 direct jobs and deliver a potential economic boost to the UK of more than £12 billion.”

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