UK Minister for Nuclear and Renewables, Andrew Bowie, has thrown his weight behind the Humber Region, asserting its potential to play a pivotal role in achieving the nation's ambitious offshore wind targets by the end of the decade.
Speaking at the prestigious Offshore Wind Connections 2024 event in Hull, Bowie expressed confidence in the region's ability to build upon its current contributions to the widespread adoption of offshore wind technology.
Highlighting the remarkable progress, Bowie credited offshore wind with a substantial 17% share in the UK's electricity generation in 2023. Moreover, he underscored the nation's global leadership, with five of the world's largest wind farms situated in UK waters, including the formidable 1.2GW Hornsea 1 and 1.32GW Hornsea 2 arrays, maintained from Orsted's East Coast Hub in Grimsby.
Bowie's sentiment towards the Humber Region was unequivocal, stating, “If this is a British success story then the Humber is one of the main characters. It will have a major role to play as we aim for 50GW of offshore wind by 2030.”
Echoing Bowie's optimism, Hull City Council assistant director for economic development and regeneration, Alex Codd, emphasized the pivotal role of offshore wind in the city's economic landscape. Reflecting on the journey that commenced in 2010 with discussions with Siemens Gamesa regarding a blade factory site on the Humber, Codd emphasized the profound impact beyond financial investments.
“The real value is not the £0.5bn that came from the infrastructure or the £180m factory extension but from the 1200 high value jobs that have been created. Offshore wind is critical to the city and the high value opportunities it has embedded in the workforce,” remarked Codd, underlining the tangible benefits accrued from the industry's growth.
