Delegates from the United States are visiting the Humber area as part of a fact-finding mission to gather evidence on the socioeconomic impact of offshore wind on this UK renewable energy hub.
The nine-strong US government delegation arrived in Hull on Wednesday, 1 March, and is visiting offshore wind facilities, academic and training establishments, and meeting local authorities and businesses.
The delegation has so far visited Siemens, Green Port Hull and the University of Hull.
The delegation also headed over to Hull’s Queen Victoria Square to see the 75-metre long Siemens rotor blade, which forms part of Hull UK City of Culture 2017 celebrations.
The blade, said to depict the size of the renewables industry in Hull, is the largest, single-cast handmade object in the world and has been crafted by the people of Hull. Blade is supported by Siemens and Green Port Hull.
The visit has been organised by Team Humber Marine Alliance, in partnership with the British Embassy in Washington DC. It is the second top-level American party to visit the Humber in the last six months, to learn about the region’s wind industry.
”There is clearly a huge appetite in the States to develop renewables and they are extremely serious about meeting their targets,” Green Port Hull said in a statement.