Historic day as Ed Davey marks ground-breaking of Siemens Hull development

THE secretary of state for Energy & Climate Change,  Ed Davey,  today joined Siemens global executives to mark the ground-breaking of the £310m wind turbine manufacturing and assembly facilities in Hull.

Mr Davey visited Hull’s Alexandra Dock to celebrate the beginning of construction on the site where Siemens will operate blade manufacturing, assembly and servicing facilities. With its partner, Associated British Ports, Siemens is investing £310m in the development. The Siemens facilities will create 1,000 direct jobs and many more during the construction phase and in the supply chain.

The secretary of state and Siemens executives were also joined by leaders from the European renewables industry to record an important milestone in the Hull project, at today’s event which had the theme “Engineering The Future”.

As work begins at Alexandra Dock it was announced that the first wind farm that would benefit from Hull is Dudgeon, off the Norfolk coast, which it is planned, will be able to use the facility and quayside for part of its installation. 

The Dudgeon wind farm will comprise 67 of Siemens’ 6 MW offshore wind turbines, which have the world’s longest blade in commercial operation, at 75 metres in length. With an overall capacity of 402 MW Dudgeon will provide clean power to more than 410,000 UK households.

Michael Hannibal, CEO Offshore of the Siemens Wind Power and Renewables division said: “The start of construction on the Hull site is a landmark in the development of what will be worldclass offshore wind manufacturing and assembly facilities.

“We are delighted the Secretary of State has joined us today to mark this occasion and that we have been joined by partners and customers who are driving forward the offshore wind industry in the UK and Europe. We are also pleased to be able to announce so far in advance the destination of the first turbines to be shipped from Hull.

“The UK offshore wind market has seen strong growth, with even greater future potential. By 2020 14 gigawatts of wind power capacity is to be installed in UK waters, to achieve environmental objectives and security of power supply. Our Hull facilities will contribute significantly to the growth of the offshore wind industry in the UK and to the shared objective of Siemens, the industry and the Government of driving down the costs of renewable energy.”

Mr Davey said: “The work started here in Hull is thanks to Siemens, its partners and the Government working closely together to invest in UK offshore wind for the long term. The £310 million investment will benefit the UK economy by creating green jobs and growth as well as providing secure, sustainable and low-carbon energy. The development will also help to drive down the costs of offshore wind. It marks the beginning of a new industry based here and exporting worldwide.”

ABP has appointed the GRAHAM Lagan Construction Group Joint Venture to develop the Alexandra Dock site for the Siemens facilities and significant enabling work has now begun.

Work to be carried out by the joint venture contractors will include building three new berths and a roll-on, roll-off ramp.

Dependent on planning consent, construction of buildings for the blade manufacturing and wind turbine assembly facilities is due to begin in summer 2015, with production of the first blades scheduled for winter 2016. Siemens has already begun hiring for jobs based in Hull, with recruitment continuing through 2015 and 2016.

City leaders have welcomed the start of work on Europe’s largest offshore wind facility at Hull’s Alexandra Dock. 

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, the leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Stephen Brady said: “Today’s event at Alexandra Dock is a major milestone in a journey that began early in 2011. It marks a historic day for our city, for Siemens and for the UK’s renewable energy industry.

“This investment by Siemens is likely to be the single biggest influence on the local economy for generations, creating over 1,000 new jobs along with a wealth of opportunity for local people and business.

“It cements Hull’s role at the heart of the UK’s Energy Estuary and will be a catalyst for further growth and investment throughout our region and across the North of England.

“Along with other major developments in our City Plan – including our status as UK City of Culture – it is also is a symbol of Hull’s changing fortunes.  Hull is on the up – and Siemens and all of the partners have played a crucial part in that. 

“The impact of this development on our city and our region will be nothing short of transformational.”

Councillor Bayes, who has responsibility for the finalisation of the Green Port proposals added: “Thanks to the commitment and hard work from all the partners involved, Europe’s largest offshore wind facility is now set to rise out of ground on Alexandra Dock, which casts off its historic role a major player in the shipment of coal to a new future at the heart of the UK’s green energy industry.

“The Council is absolutely determined to make the most of this development in terms of the benefits it will bring to local people and the city as a whole.”

Siemens is a significant UK employer with 13,760 employees, including around 2,000 employees in its renewable businesses.