“Major leap forward” as offshore wind giant signs up with Able

MAJOR offshore wind developer DONG Energy has signed an agreement to launch a huge operational hub for the company at Able Marine Energy Park.

The Memorandum of Understanding would see the park become a hub for DONG’s construction and installation operations for offshore wind farms.

The signing of the MOU “represents a major step forward” in creating a hub of offshore power generation companies at the 34.8 million sq ft Able Marine Energy Park.

Headquartered in Denmark, DONG Energy employs 6,500 across Northern Europe. It is engaged in exploring oil and gas, developing offshore wind farms and power stations and providing energy to residential and business customers.

Able executive chairman Peter Stephenson said:”The Government and industry, have long advocated the creation of a strong and viable renewable energy cluster in the Humber, close to the major East Coast wind farm developments and the benefits of making that a reality are recognised in our MOU with DONG Energy.

“AMEP is able to provide the critical mass around which the cluster can grow. Indeed DONG Energy’s presence will act as a further catalyst in this regard.”

“What we now need to see are further investment decisions made as quickly as possible and that requires continued Government support which can ensure that the Humber-and the UK as a whole-is able to benefit from using the wind resources of the North Sea as a major contributor in the transition to a carbon-free economy.”

Head of strategic supply chain for DONG Energy, Joachim Steenstrup said “Able Marine Park is very close to what you would come up with, if you had to do a painting of the optimal cluster for the renewables industry on a blank canvas…close to the sea with abundant quayside and adjoining land to manufacture, assemble, and store goods.”

Local Growth Minister James Wharton said that “firms are realising the benefits this Zone offers for boosting their business and wider contribution to the Northern Powerhouse.”

Chairperson of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership Lord Haskins said: “We are developing our Enterprise Zone along the right lines, attracting the interest of companies such as Dong endorses that we are the UK’s Energy Estuary with the Humber ports developing as a strong and growing national hub for the new offshore renewables industry.”

 Improvements have been made to attract investors, such as the £110m upgrade of the highways, including the A61 to the Port of Immingham and the AMEP