NEWS

Region to benefit from wind revolution

The East is in a strong position to cash in on the riches being offered by the expanding renewable energy industry, it was claimed last night.

While energy minister Malcolm Wicks was talking up the potential of the North-East during a visit there yesterday, industry leaders insisted green power would have a huge impact on this region - creating up to 25,000 jobs.

Mr Wicks, opening the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, Northumberland, said moves to build thousands of wind turbines off the British coast could create 30,000 jobs, with the North-East in a key position to exploit its manufacturing expertise.

Steve Clarke, of Norwich-based Renewables East, accepted the North's deep-water ports put it in a strong position in terms of construction, but said the eastern region was already carving itself a niche in the operations and maintenance sector.

He gave the example of Lowestoft, which has just been chosen as the operations base for the world's largest windfarm further south along the Suffolk coast at Greater Gabbard.

And earlier this summer, it was announced that the sea off the north Norfolk coast could play host to 1,000 turbines as the government strives to provide 15pc of energy through renewable sources by 2020.

A £10bn investment in the region has been predicted as a result, with contracts to provide maintenance and supply parts set to benefit towns like Yarmouth, Lowestoft and Cromer.

Mr Clarke said: “I recognise that the North-East's strength is in its deep-water harbours but we have a different offering and we are playing to our strengths.

“Renewable energy is helping to support business growth in our region. We have got a great environment for developing this industry,” he said.

Renewables East, which has been tasked with promoting the green industry, believes the region is on course to eclipse government targets and produce 20pc of power through renewable sources by 2020, creating 20,000-25,000 jobs.

Mr Clarke pointed to the new Orbis energy centre, which will play host to small and medium-sized renewable energy companies when it opens at Lowestoft's Ness Point later this year.

He said Lowestoft was in a prime position because it was equal distance between two major windfarm sites, further north in the Wash and to the south in the Thames Estuary.

Jonathan Duffy, of the Greater Gabbard windfarm, which will operate 140 turbines by 2011, said: “We have chosen Lowestoft as the place from which to support the operations. A lot of work and planning has gone into choosing it.

“The support from the local community has been very strong in attracting us to the area.”

The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform has predicted 160,000 jobs could be created across the country in renewable energy-related industries by 2020.

Mr Wicks said: “Offshore wind will play a significant role in helping us meet our challenging targets for a massive increase in the amount of energy generated from renewables.

“With our plans to increase the financial support for offshore wind, it is further evidence of our commitment to make the UK one of the most attractive places to invest in green energy.”