By Hull Daily Mail | Posted: 13 May 2016

BUSINESSES operating in offshore wind on the Humber have been told they are in “a position of strength,” as the pipeline of projects powered by billions of pounds of investment continues to flow into the region.
Team Humber Marine Alliance’s annual conference brought 250 people together as the forthcoming opportunities were explored, with deputy chief executive of RenewableUK Maf Smith, boosting a confidence already oozing out of the ports.
Joining key stakeholders from the sector on his home patch, Mr Smith – who was brought up in Barton – told the audience at The Spa Bridlington: “There is not a creditable scenario that does not see offshore wind growing.
“We are in a position of strength here. The Humber is in a great place and your companies are in the right place.”
“The scale of the opportunity is huge and the important thing is we work together, all the different parts of the supply chain.”
Empowering companies with the knowledge to help them succeed in the sector was the main thrust of Offshore Wind Connections 2016.
Delegates were drawn from regional, national and international bodies, from wind farm developers to trade organisations along the length of the crucial supply chain.
In his opening speech, Mark O’Reilly, chief executive and chairman of THMA, spoke about the huge investment potential in the North Sea.
“There is much to be excited about and a long pipeline of projects to invest in,” he told delegates.
Mr O’Reilly talked about the “outstanding opportunities” that existed around wind energy and the importance of training in the sector.
“It is about getting the right calibre of people involved, with the right skills,” he said.
After the event, Mr O’Reilly said: “We have had a fantastic turnout from companies and organisations from all over the Humber and beyond, including from Aberdeen, Bristol and Great Yarmouth in the UK, and from Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.
“This demonstrates the Humber’s importance as a centre of excellence for offshore wind.
“It has been great to hear from key speakers about current and impending multi-billion-pound investments off the Humber coast and the vital role that the local supply chain can play in realising this investment.”
Jason Ledden, the man leading the build out of Race Bank from Grimsby, Dong Energy’s 580MW wind farm featuring 91 turbines, was a speaker, so too James Cotter, of RWE/Statkraft, the consortium behind Triton Knoll, a 900MW development in the final consenting stages.
Gareth Russell, ABP’s commercial manager in the Humber, said the event was a “fantastic” way to bring together all the organisations that were working hard to make the Humber “THE energy estuary in the UK”.
The social economic impact of this still-new industry was also highlighted by Great Grimsby MP Melanie Onn.
She told the conference: “I am an increasingly keen supporter of the renewables sector in my town.
“It is playing a huge role in the recovery of Grimsby.
“It was a one-industry town with its fishing and it is a very different place now. For decades, that industry has been in decline and has not seen anything significant replacing it. I see the offshore wind industry bringing a renewal of hope to Grimsby.
“It is already providing hundreds of jobs to people in the town and many more will be employed through the supply chain, the majority in skilled, long term roles.
“The renewables industry is really making people look at something new in Grimsby.
“Providing people with opportunities for growth in renewables is part of shaping a new identity for a town struggling to find its way after the loss of a major industry.
“The offshore wind industry is putting Grimsby on the map for the right reasons and the success of the sector is key to determining its future.”
Using her time on stage to touch on a hot political topic, pro remaining in Europe Ms Onn said the forthcoming EU referendum meant a choice for all to make that presented a “very real threat”.
“The big energy companies in our region mainly come from the continent and I don’t want to make it any more difficult for them to keep investing here,” she said.