In a major step forward in establishing the Humber as a world-class centre for the renewable energy industries, Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government Eric Pickles marked the start of work in preparation for the development of the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP).
The infrastructure programme is being supported through Mr Pickles’ department with a £15m grant provided through the Enterprise Zone Foundations for Growth Capital Grant Fund following a successful bid from the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership.
Senior figures from developers Able, North Lincolnshire Council and the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership were at the AMEP site near Immingham to see Mr Pickles begin work on the infrastructure programme which is set to continue until March next year, creating around 350 full time equivalent construction jobs.
The £450m AMEP project is set to create over 4,100 direct jobs and is seen as vital to the plans for growing the Humber as the UK’s Energy Estuary.
Peter Stephenson, Able Executive Chairman , said:
“For a sector where proximity to market means everything to everyone, it makes sense to offer a big space in the right place, with substantial quays built to accommodate the deployment of large industrial components to the North Sea and beyond – all this, in the heart of the largest offshore wind market in the world.”
Kishor Tailor, Chief Executive of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership , said:
“It is great news to have the Secretary of State confirm the grant we helped to secure from the Government with AMEP and North Lincolnshire Council. This will bring forward the first phase of work on our largest Humber Enterprise Zone site and the hundreds of jobs associated with the first phase of work.
“The energy park project is a critical part of our plans for growing the Humber as the UK’s energy estuary and this commitment from Government will increase confidence for investors in the site and begin its transformation.”