The Government has given its approval for a brand new £450 million marine energy park to be built at North Killingholme, on the banks of the Humber. The 906 acre Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP), which will serve the offshore wind industry in the UK and hopefully beyond, will bring between 4,000 and 10,000 jobs to north Lincolnshire – and a much-needed boost to the region’s economy.
The centrepiece of AMEP will be a 1,280m long quay which will be used to load the giant turbines and other offshore wind farm equipment onto specialist vessels, for transportation to North Sea construction sites. A range of manufacturing and logistical facilities will be located onshore. International firms are registering keen interest in the site, with Austrian turbine foundation manufacturer Strabag already signed up to bring 400 jobs to the Park. The new development will also include a £100m Able Logistics Park.
Government approval for AMEP is the latest in a series of positive developments for the renewable energy industry in the north Lincolnshire area. Siemens have been granted planning permission for their Green Port Hull development, whilst DONG Energy have announced they will be setting up a new operations and maintenance base at the Port of Grimsby. And a landmark Hull and Humber City deal, marking a commitment to developing the region’s potential within the renewables sector, was signed in December 2013.
Together, these developments put the Humber region in a superb position to lead the UK in creating a truly world-class offshore wind industry – just in time to support the forthcoming Round 3 wind farms that are soon to be constructed in the North Sea.
Wilding says: ‘This fantastic news comes at a time when the renewable energy sector really needed a shot in the arm. Building a world-leading centre of manufacturing and logistics right here in the UK will create thousands of jobs at all levels and play a crucial part in driving down the cost of renewable energy in the future.’
Sources: Grimsby Telegraph – various articles
