invest north east england

Offshore Wind

Overview

Offshore Wind

Areas of Expertise

• Prime Central Location

  The geographical locations of the Round 3 offshore wind farms put North East England in a unique central position from which companies can service over half of the farms. 

  Dogger Bank, the nearest and overall largest development zone, is expected to produce over a third (9GW) of the total offshore wind energy generated through this phase. Our location therefore gives close access to the largest market.

• Great Riverside Sites

  The region benefits from two major river systems – the Tyne and the Tees. There are also a number of deepwater ports including those in Blyth, Sunderland and Hartlepool which could be used to support or supply offshore projects. 

  These regions have been home to major shipbuilding and heavy engineering centres providing fabrication used in the North Sea development of oil and gas reserves.  Equally important, there are available vacant and under-used quayside locations with available infrastructure already in place to help companies locate in the region quickly.  The supportive planning approach for manufacturing sites and widely available support available allow companies to be market ready within a much shorter time than in other locations.

• Supply Chain Links

  The Government’s commitment to the offshore wind market has opened up major opportunities for local and new companies to the region.

  This builds on the experience and expertise that already exist in North East England, and also the strong public and private sector relationships in place nationally and with neighbouring regions.

• Funding Support

  Companies in the region can access a comprehensive range of finance and funding options including grant, loans and equity products. 

  We have a strong track record of delivering capital grants for companies investing in the region, and local businesses seeking to grow and develop new markets. The Grant for Business Investment scheme, for instance, provides direct support to projects that have capital expenditure and strong job creation potential.  There are also strong strategic and funding relationships with the national government and agencies, the European Investment Bank and private finance centres. For example, the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC) are working closely with the region to support innovative projects led by number of companies here. Their Environmental Transformation Fund is now helping a company develop new manufacturing approach and another to build a facility for towers and monopile production on the Tees. 

  One North East is working with the Northern Way on the Northern Wind Innovation Programme which has committed to £3m of industry-led projects to stimulate innovation and technology development in the offshore wind industry in the North of England

• Skills Support

  Engineering is at the heart of the region. Many of these companies deliver on major projects time and time again – a true endorsement of the ‘can do’ culture here in the region. 

  Around 62,000 people are employed in the engineering sector in this region. North East engineers are well-known for working on oil and gas, and marine related projects worldwide.  The Tyne still has a significant engineering workforce in shipbuilding projects even today.  A significant cluster of research, design engineering, logistic and professional services companies have also built their expertise in these markets.  Investments are already made in training a new generation of workforce in the new and renewable industry. For example, a new 27m offshore wind training tower is now available for training Level 3/4 wind skills technicians. This is an open access facility that will allow both regional training providers and industrial companies the opportunity to increase their skills base.

  In addition, we have a workforce that is familiar and experienced with the disciplines of modern manufacturing such as lean thinking. Our strong automotive sector, with Nissan being a key investor in the region, has played a major role in developing a culture that brings out the best in advanced manufacturing.  This experience of production engineering will be a vital component as companies develop capacity to deliver the significant volumes required for offshore projects. The Manufacturing Advisory Service here will be able to help companies develop and access these skills if required.

• Research and Innovation

  Forward-thinking businesses can benefit from world-leading research and development capabilities in universities, specialist industrial and private research centres at their doorstep here in North East England.

  Narec, The New and Renewable Energy Centre, is the focus for national innovation assets for the offshore wind and marine renewables industries. Its existing and planned open access testing assets and expertise provide the full suite of component and systems testing for the offshore wind industry.  In 2009, DECC announced £11.5m national investment to enhance Narec blade testing capability to allow testing of up to 100m long blades and £10m for enhancements to their wave and tidal testing .

  Further plans are being developed to test the world’s largest nacelles, demonstration sites for full turbine systems offshore and to develop innovative power and networks solutions.  The Welding Institute (TWI) operate an open access facility in Middlesbrough to provide their leading materials, fabrication and joining technology expertise to the offshore wind industry. Durham University leads the UK Wind Research Programme and network SUPERGEN and with Newcastle provides state-of-art laboratories and facilities such as those for testing power electronics, aerodynamics, wave and tidal and gearboxes.

• Dedicated & Business Support

  Business support in the region is well-integrated. Agencies, universities, sector representatives and specialist centres often work together to provide a solution for businesses looking to locate here. 

  One North East, as the local Regional Development Agency, is able to help make the initial introductions and facilitate financial support where appropriate. There are wind sector specialists who will be able to provide first hand advice on enquiries ranging from supply chain to availability of sites. One North East also has several years’ experience in helping companies all over the world locate in the region.

• Well-connected Infrastructure

  Companies located in this region are supported with several deepwater ports and a wellconnected air, rail and road infrastructure.

  Newcastle International and Durham Tees Valley Airports offer a total of 30 scheduled routes daily to UK and European airports. They have connections to all destinations via major hubs including London, Schiphol and Dubai.  The East Coast mainline offers frequent rail connections to London and the rest of the country. Newcastle upon Tyne is less than three hours by train from London, and they depart every half an hour.

Offshore Wind

Key Facts & Figures

Offshore Wind

Supporting Organisations

Supporting Organisations