Green Port Hull to transform the Humber Economy
Hull could be destined to become the UK’s capital for renewable energy if plans unveiled today, (Friday 3 December), to attract major wind turbine manufacturers to the city, are successful.
Associated British Ports (ABP), Hull City Council, East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the University of Hull have formed a strong partnership to launch Green Port Hull, a £100m redevelopment of Alexandra Dock.
ABP is already in advanced negotiations with a number of major turbine manufacturers currently looking for a location for their manufacturing base. More than 60 of the city’s top business people will attend the launch of Green Port Hull at the World Trade Centre on Friday morning, at a breakfast briefing attended by Graham Stuart MP and Shadow Chancellor Alan Johnson MP.
By 2020 the UK Government targets require 15% of energy production to be from renewable sources and to meet this target turbine operators will need to be on site manufacturing the turbines by 2014. In January 2010, Round 3 offshore wind development zones were announced off the UK coast, each with thousands of wind turbines, with three of the largest sites within 12 hours of Hull. With ease of access to the three main zones, an existing port facility with existing planning permission for development and the will of both the public and private sector working together, Hull has launched the Green Port Hull proposition in the expectation that major manufacturers will base their operations in our city.
If successful, the new operation could generate up to 10,000 new jobs for the region in both skilled and unskilled roles as well as countless supply chain opportunities for local small businesses.
Economic benefit from some previous schemes for major wind turbines off UK waters has gone abroad, as manufacturing and therefore jobs and investment have been awarded to sites in Europe. Green Port Hull’s focus is to ensure that the UK does not lose the opportunity and that the core benefit is felt in Hull. ABP’s site at Alexandra Dock forms part of the operational Port of Hull and is ideally suited for a wind turbine manufacturing facility. Green Port Hull will also make use of the already-consented Quay 2005 site immediately adjacent to Alexandra Dock, which provides direct access to the adjacent deep water channel. Environmental compensation has already been provided for the Quay 2005 site, with the creation of new areas of inter-tidal habitat at Chowder Ness. Matt Jukes, Port Director Hull & Goole, Associated British Ports (ABP), said: “Green Port Hull presents a fantastic opportunity for Hull to play a leading role in the UK’s green energy revolution. The development is already consented, completely environmentally compensated for and can be delivered by 2014. We have the land and the location to offer potential manufacturers an excellent opportunity.
He added: “Alexandra Dock is an existing port facility that will be completely transformed to cater for this expanding market. We also have the massive advantage of the wider port complex, with all its facilities, which will be of great benefit to both manufacturers and the wider supply chain.” Councillor Carl Minns, Leader of Hull City Council, said: “The success of this project is vital for future growth of the city’s economy including bringing thousands of jobs to the area. The council has been working with ABP on this project for the past year and has built an excellent working partnership.” Cllr Minns added: “We have an established development team already working hard to bring this and other renewables projects to fruition. With all partners aligned I am confident Hull has the right offer to attract this sort of investment.’
Professor Stephanie Haywood, Director of the Centre for Adaptive Science & Sustainability at the University of Hull, commented: “Both the University and Hull College have been backing the city’s drive to support the emerging renewable energy industry by developing the wide range of skills that will be needed. The prospect of Green Port Hull offers the university an excellent opportunity to develop courses which embed environmental sustainability in the curriculum and also to expand existing specialist research in renewable energy and related fields.”
Source: www.hull.co.uk