‘Northern Powerhouse’ mission to the US launches
OFFSHORE wind in the US presents a “staggering opportunity” according to Mark O’Reilly, the chief executive of the Team Humber Marine Alliance, which is teaming up with UK Trade & Investment to lead an offshore wind mission to the USA.
The ‘Northern Powerhouse’ mission will see regional businesses head to the East Coast of the United States in March 2016.
Team Humber and UKTI are currently hosting US company NovaVis and the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition directors Chuck Decuir and Jeff Keever.
The aim of the mission is to grow and develop relationships across the pond as the northern offshore wind industry looks to a global market.
During their visit, the offshore wind leaders will visit the E.ON Humber Gateway offshore wind farm control and operations centre in Grimsby and the AIS Group’s renewables training centre and support facilities at the University of Hull.
The visit comes as Siemens and Able UK progress ambitious plans to create world-class offshore wind green energy clusters on the Humber estuary.
Mr O’Reilly, chief executive of Team Humber Marine Alliance, said: “We have been working with UKTI on the idea for a Northern Powerhouse visit to the US for some time, so we’re delighted to make this announcement.
“Offshore wind in the US is transitioning from early development to commercial viability but has almost unbelievable potential. It has an estimated potential offshore wind capacity of 4,200GW – roughly the equivalent of 1,050 Drax power stations.
“That is a staggering opportunity, and the Humber and the North wants to be a part of it.
“As a region we have developed an enviable expertise in the offshore wind supply chain from construction to operations and maintenance, from vessel operation to blade repair and subsea services to port operation and logistics.”
Chuck Decuir, director of NovaVis, which is mapping and connecting the US offshore renewable energy supply chain, said: “NovaVis supply chain technologies and the Virginia Offshore Wind Coalition are keenly focused on the coordination of European intellectual capital with the newly forming United States wind energy industry, and we are very pleased to play a role in the THMA event.”
Mark Robson, regional director for UKTI Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “The latest figures show the considerable contribution exports to the US make to the economy in Yorkshire and the Humber.
“Made in Yorkshire and Made in Britain are formidable brands and an increasing number of businesses in the Yorkshire and the Humber are well placed to take advantage of exporting to America.”
The partnership said that although the US has lagged behind Europe, policymakers are starting to follow the European example with the advancement and use of offshore wind energy.
Construction on the country’s first offshore wind farm started started 5 months ago off Rhode Island. DONG Energy, which this year signed up to the launch of a huge operational site at Able’s Marine Energy Park, recently released details of its 1GW offshore wind farm in Massachusetts.
There is a free morning launch event, ‘Doing Business in the USA – Offshore Wind’ at the Hallmark Hotel, Hessle, on December 9 for businesses wanting to know more.
