Bosses at the North East Combined Authority have said the region must seize the opportunities presented by offshore wind, writes Local Democracy Reporter, James Robinson. The area off the North East Coast has the potential to provide up to 50% of the electricity for the entire country when fully developed.
Employment in the sector forms a key part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ plan for Green jobs, which aims to create 25,000 new jobs in clean energy, skills and transport over the next decade. A new report has highlighted that offshore wind “offers a once in a generation opportunity” for new industry and “thousands of good jobs”.
The report, presented to members of the NECA Overview and Scrutiny Committee on Friday, explained that 80% of the UK’s offshore wind sites are accessible by sea from the region within 24 hours. The North East is also home to three sea ports – Blyth, Tyne and Sunderland – and an international airport.
The Crown Estate – land and holdings belonging to the Monarch – expect to bring forward 10-16GW of new offshore wind sites in the region by 2030. The UK grid operates at around 30-45GW< meaning “new North East offshore wind farms could provide up to 50% of UK electricity needs when operating at full capacity”.
Speaking at the meeting, head of clean energy at the combined authority Ross Lowrie said: “All of the building blocks have fallen into place. We have to act to reap the benefits, because if we don’t jobs will go to Scotland, Holland and Denmark.
“We have a huge opportunity – we have the sites, we have the land. The North East is a tremendously exciting place to be.
“We have this coming, we have the port sites ready and we have got the workforce because we have invested in skills.”
The combined authority anounced plans last year to invest £19.5 million in order to leverage up to £195 million into ports and quays in the area to prepare for the growth in the offshore sector. Furthermore, next month will see the launch of the North-East Offshore Wind Innovation and Demonstration (NEOWIND) programme, which will run until 2029 and support businesses to ” develop new technologies, products and services for offshore wind sector with key industry partners”.
There are also key training facilities at the Energy Central Hub in Blyth as well as Newcastle College’s Energy Academy and Sout SHields Marine School.
Mayor Karen Clark, Cabinet Member for Home to the Green Energy Revolution said: “The North East has a generational opportunity to lead the green energy revolution.”
James Robinson
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
South West Durham News covering news across County Durham.
