Able UK Opportunities at THMA’s Offshore Wind Connections

Able UK Opportunities at THMA's Offshore Wind Connections

Potential supply chain opportunities at Able UK’s Marine Energy Park (AMEP) and the fallout from the introduction of the Energy Bill are on the agenda at a free breakfast briefing this week.

The Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA) hosted ‘Offshore Wind Connections’, which is being supported by EEF the manufacturers’ organisation, will feature David Shepherd, Able UK’s group business executive.

There are a limited number of delegate spaces available at the briefing this Wednesday, April 24, at Forest Pines, Brigg, which will also includes senior industry figures from David Brown Wind Energy, Strabag Offshore and the Department for Energy & Climate Change (DECC).

Mr Shepherd will detail the proposed 320ha AMEP development on the south bank of the Humber, just north of Immingham, the anticipated economic growth it will create for the Humber region and outline how local companies can be involved.

“The offshore wind industry is tonnage light and land hungry – something most ports don’t know how to deal with or don’t want to,” said Mr Shepherd.

”AMEP provides a unique UK solution meaning the Humber is now poised to take advantage of a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

The project is at a critical stage in its development with a final planning decision on, or before, May 24.

Mark O’Reilly, director, THMA, said: “Able UK’s planned development is an absolutely huge new ports complex, with potential opportunities for manufacturers and companies right through the supply chain, from ports and marine to offshore.

“This new port development, which will have 1,300m of new deep water quays, will facilitate a truly integrated offshore wind cluster providing proximity to market for regional supply chain businesses.

“Potentially, it will attract not only larger offshore wind companies but smaller companies as well. Considering that Round 2 and Round 3 offshore wind farms have yet to be built in the North Sea there is going to have to be significant investment in new plant by manufacturers.”

The EEF’s head of business environment, Roger Salomone, will discuss the organisation’s thoughts on the general economy, while focusing on the introduction of the Energy Bill last November and its impact on the power sector and supply chain in the Humber region.

Allan Taylor, head of supply chain, Office for Renewable Energy Deployment, DECC, will give an an insight into UK Government strategy to promote offshore wind and accelerate the deployment of low carbon technologies.

Robert Foyle, business development executive UK/Ireland, civil engineer, Strabag Offshore, will be able to give valuable insights into the operations of this leading supplier of gravity-based foundations to the offshore wind sector.

There will also be a look at David Brown Wind Energy’s innovative approach to tidal, onshore and offshore wind planetary drives and renewables service and repair from Ian Farquhar, managing director.

Mr O’Reilly added: “This is a great line up of professional, interesting, driven speakers. Although it is a Team Humber Marine Alliance event for all 160 of our member companies, it is also a free knowledge gaining and networking opportunity open to any business working in the energy and marine sectors.”

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Press release, April 23, 2013; Image: THMA