Industry Leaders to Gather at Offshore Wind Connections 2014

Some of the leading figures in the offshore wind industry will be at a free two-day conference and forum this week, debating the Humber’s role in a £100bn UK investment opportunity.

Senior executives from Able UK, AREVA Wind, Smart Wind/Mainstream Renewable Power, among others, are to speak at Offshore Wind Connections 2014.

The second annual Team Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA) event at Forest Pines Hotel, near Brigg, north east Lincolnshire, includes a Renewable UK networking session on Tuesday, March 25, followed by speakers and workshops all day on the Wednesday.

The event comes at a crucial juncture in the region’s offshore wind development, and will provide the latest updates from industry as well key topics including supply chain opportunities, UK content, cost reduction, inward investment, and funding for growth and skills.

Mark O’Reilly, director at THMA, which was recently crowned as the Humber Renewables Champion of the year, 2014, said: “The stage is set for the continued growth of the Humber region’s offshore wind projects with Westermost Rough now under construction and greater clarity about what is really achievable in specific Round 3 projects and who will be the leading players.”

About 30,000 jobs are expected to be created in the UK’s offshore wind over the next eight years, as part of a national offshore wind programme of more than 40 projects with an estimated investment value of up to £100bn.

“The UK is already the global leader in offshore wind with as much capacity installed as the rest of the world combined – with the Humber an incredibly vital part of that opportunity.

“Offshore wind is already creating hundreds of new jobs in the Humber region with significant investments in operations and maintenance facilities in Grimsby. With further plans to create brand new ports infrastructure and manufacturing facilities the Humber will become an internationally important offshore wind centre of excellence.”

Speakers include: Chris Jenner, offshore developer SMart Wind/Mainstream Renewable Power, who will give an update on the Hornsea offshore wind farm; and Karl John, industrial specialist at the Offshore Wind Investment Organisation who will talk about how its role within UKTI is boosting investment in the UK offshore wind supply chain.

Other speakers at the industry’s cutting edge include Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of Renewable UK, Neil Etherington, group development director, Able Marine Energy Park, and Andrew Fox, relationship manager at AREVA Wind.

An afternoon session of workshops and seminars will focus on Funding for Growth in Offshore Wind and include speakers from GROW Offshore Wind programme, Green Port Growth, the Humber LEP and the GREAT Project.

“These sessions will be perfect for anyone looking to expand into the offshore wind market who might need business support and advice to help their  businesses to enter the renewable energy supply chain and to look at skills and funding,” added Mr O’Reilly.

Press release, March 24, 2014; Image: tennet