Member Article

Three multi-million Yorkshire coast wind farms creating 2,500 jobs given the go-ahead

The Government has given the go-ahead for an offshore wind project off the Yorkshire coast worth millions of pounds and expected to create up to 2,500 jobs in the area.

Hornsea Project One will be made up of three offshore wind farms with a maximum capacity of 1200MW. Once built, it will generate enough electricity to power more than 800,000 homes.

Based 64 miles off the coast of Yorkshire, the project was one of eight renewable energy projects awarded an early Contract for Difference (CFD) in April 2014.

Consent was provided on the condition that the project has an employment and skills plan approved by North Lincolnshire Council, which includes local advertising of jobs and supply chain opportunities and outreach employment presentations.

It has been shown that almost half of the costs associated with building and operating a wind farm is spent buying services and products from UK businesses.

Energy and Climate Change Secretary Ed Davey said: “With around 2,500 local green jobs on the horizon, this is another great boost for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire.

“Making the most of Britain’s home grown energy is crucial to creating job and business opportunities in the UK, getting the best deal for consumers and reducing our reliance on foreign imports.

“Wind power is vital to this plan, with £14.5 billion invested since 2010 into an industry which supports 35,400 jobs.”

Earlier this year Siemens and ABP announced a combined investment of £310 million to develop new wind turbine production and installation facilities in Hull, creating over 1,000 new jobs.

This is one of the largest investments in the Humberside area in the last 50 years and clearly demonstrates that the UK is the leading market for the sector.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .