Jobs windfall following multimillion-pound investment in manufacturing
More than 1000 jobs will be created and safeguarded in the region and up the East Coast following £180m of private sector investment in the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing sector.
The funding will be boosted by grant funding of £160m from the Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support Scheme, launched last year by Prime Minister Boris Johnson as part of his green Ten Point Plan.
SeAH Wind, a South Korean company will create 750 new jobs by 2030 at the Able Marine Energy Park in North Killingholme on the Humber estuary by building a £117m factory to make supports for turbines, with the first production expected in 2023.
Neil Etherington, from Able UK, said that other manufacturers were also planning to build new factories at the site.
“In terms of the construction of big factories and the new quays there’ll be 2,000, 3,000 temporary jobs,” he said.
“But the most important ones to me are the long-term 2,000 or so direct jobs on site.”
Up the East Coast, SMulders Projects UK will receive a £70m investment in new infrastructure and equipment to enable the manufacturing of wind turbine transition pieces at its site in Wallsend, Necastle creating and safeguarding up to 325 direct jobs .
Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng said: “Wind is one of the UK’s greatest natural assets and we’re a world-leader in offshore wind energy. With the largest installed capacity of offshore wind in the world, we are determined to grow and nurture a strong, world-class manufacturing base so British businesses and our workforce can fully seize the economic benefits being a windy island nation brings.
He added that the investments “will not only put the wind in the sails of the UK’s industrial heartlands, creating and supporting thousands of good quality jobs, they will also benefit the whole of Britain as we work to onshore more manufacturers, attract inward investment and ramp up export opportunities.”
Minister for Investment Gerry Grimstone said:”The UK is well-established as having the largest offshore wind capacity of any country on the planet. These investments highlight how we are building a manufacturing base that reflects our position as a world leader in this key technology and the attractiveness of the UK’s clean energy sector to international investors.
“UK workers will be building the next generation of wind turbines that will not only help us meet our own climate change commitments but will be exported and can power countries all over the globe in a cleaner greener future.”
Joosung Lee, COO of SeAH Steel Holdings Corporation, said: “Based on the active support and trust from the UK government, it is meaningful for SeAH that investment toward the monopile factory is in full swing.”
