Member Article

Humber LEP secures £14.9 million EZ grant for Able Marine Energy Park

Humber LEP is celebrating after securing £14.9 million for the Able Marine Energy Park (AMEP) and North Lincolnshire Council from the Enterprise Zone Capital Grant Fund.

The Humber was one of 12 Local Enterprise Partnerships to successfully bid for a slice of the £100 million Enterprise Zone Capital Grant Fund from the Department for Communities and Local Government.

The AMEP scheme, which was granted planning permission on December 18, is of national significance offering a bespoke facility for the manufacture, storage and deployment of renewable energy technologies.

Though the planning permission has been granted it could still face legal challenge.

The grant is helping to bring forward the work and associated construction jobs as part of a first phase £29m general infrastructure programme, which is set to conclude in March 2015, and will create c. 350 FTE equivalent construction jobs.

Works on the land – the largest enterprise zone sites in the UK - will develop 240,000m2 commercial floorspace, including 3.7km of internal access roads, 1,355m of multi-rail sidings, 40MVA electricity supply to AMEP and surrounding area and mains water, gas and sewage services to the Enterprise Zone, increasing capacity for surrounding industry.

The grant helps to mitigate some of the risk of the development of the £440m project which will see 4,100 direct jobs and 1,250 constructions jobs, giving investors further confidence that the delivery time will be shortened and be more responsive to the energy market.

Lord Haskins, Chair of the Humber LEP, said: “We’re delighted we were able to secure funding from the Enterprise Zone Capital Grant Fund for the Able Marine Energy Park, which will help the works to get off the ground more quickly, bringing forward hundreds of construction jobs.

“The energy park project is a critical part of our plans for growing the Humber as the UK’s energy estuary.

The work getting underway will provide further confidence to investors for the site and begin its transformation, which will increase the region’s capacity to supply the needs of the offshore wind sector.

Peter Stephenson, ABLE’s Executive Chairman commented: “The Grant Offer is another very clear indication of the high level of Government support for the AMEP project and underlines the critical role that the development will play for the UK’s Renewable Energy Sector.

“Furthermore it reflects the very significant economic impacts that AMEP will have locally, regionally and indeed nationally.

The decision follows on from the Secretary of State for Transport authorising the granting of a Development Consent Order for AMEP last December and last week’s very positive announcement from the Department for Education confirming its support for the Humber University Technical College, a project in which ABLE is playing a leading role.“

The accountable body for the money will be North Lincolnshire Council.

Cllr Liz Redfern, leader, North Lincolnshire Council, said: “This is fantastic news and further demonstrates the level of confidence and commitment the Government has in developing Humber region.

“The Able Marine Energy Park is of incredible significance in so many ways and will make a huge impact on the region’s economy.

“First we had the excellent news in December for the go-ahead to create the Marine Energy Park; then just last week we got the go ahead for the University Technology College; and now this.

“It all points to one thing and that is the Government has every confidence that North Lincolnshire is ideally placed for these huge developments.

“They will help kick start the manufacturing and engineering sector, which is greatly needed. Both projects link together and complement each other.

“It is paramount that we are able to now get on with the job at hand and deliver the skills and jobs needed to transform the North Lincolnshire and wider Humber region’s economy and fortunes.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .