Hull launches £100m bid to become turbine hub
A BID to make Hull a major centre for wind turbine manufacturing with a £100m redevelopment of Alexandra Dock was launched this morning.
Green Port Hull, a partnership formed by port operator Associated British Ports, Hull and East Riding Councils and the University of Hull, will look to persuade turbine manufacturers to locate in the city.
ABP has revealed it is already in “advanced negotiations” with a number of companies and Green Port Hull hopes the city’s location within 12 hours of three of the largest offshore sites earmarked for windfarms will prove attractive.
The Alexandra Dock is part of the Port of Hull and offers direct access to deep water through the Quay 2005 site.
Matt Jukes, port director for ABP in Hull and Goole, 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.
“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.”
It is estimated that the new operation would create up to 10,000 new jobs in the region as well as opportunities for small businesses.
Coun 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.
“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.”
