A first look at how the Royal Dock base will look has been given as it is geared up to handle more wind farms in a multi-million pound investment, due to complete next year. Lia Nici and Martin Vickers toured the site of what will be a significantly enhanced state-of-the-art operations and maintenance facility, with the role Grimsby will play nationally impressed upon them.

RWE is already operating the Humber Gateway and Triton Knoll farms from Grimsby, with construction of Sofia underway and two further Dogger Bank sites in development. Once complete, the Grimsby Hub will host RWE’s Centralised Control Room, where technicians will oversee the operation of the vast majority of the company’s UK offshore portfolio, a move described as “further reaffirming the Humber’s role as a leading location” for the sector.

Guy Middleton, RWE’s Grimsby Hub general manager, hosted the visit. He said: “It was fantastic to welcome Lia and Martin to discuss our investment plans, which will bring plenty of skilled roles and provide many opportunities for the regional supply chain.”

Hull-based firm Hobson & Porter is building the facility, which is expected to accommodate around 140 RWE employees. A total of 70 new skilled jobs are being brought to the region, with indirect jobs required in support. Recruitment has already begun for more than 20 technician roles in support of the Sofia offshore wind farm.

Mr Middleton told how the Grimsby location was chosen because of its proximity to existing and future projects and its deep-water quayside, which is suited to the use of service operations vessels – with two clean-fuel vessels recently ordered.

Aside from the joint control room offering 24/7 monitoring of multiple sites, the Grimsby Hub will feature new shared office space, and separate warehouse facilities.

The MPs had been present when UK country chair Tom Glover unveiled the plans to make the town the strategic base for its wind farm pipeline back in April last year.

Ms Nici said: “It was great to see RWE’s continued investment in its Grimsby Hub offshore wind base, which is set to be a central location for the management of many of the company’s offshore wind farms across the UK – bringing high-quality job opportunities to Grimsby and reinforcing the town’s position as a leader in the sector.”

RWE is the leading power producer in the UK, accounting for around 15 per cent of all electricity generated in the UK through its diverse operational portfolio of onshore wind, offshore wind, hydro, biomass and gas. The past decade has seen a 43 per cent reduction in carbon intensity, while it has an expectation of investing £15 billion in clean energy technology and infrastructure by 2030.