Member Article

Siemens turbine development marks "new era" for Hull and Humber region

Team Humber Marine Alliance, Able, WTC and the Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce have all declared their support for Siemens’ decision to go ahead with the construction of an offshore wind manufacturing plant in Hull, reported by Bdaily here.

According to the bodies and businesses, the development will provide a significant boost to the region’s offshore and marine engineering supply chain

Team Humber Marine Alliance of 180 Humber companies director, Mark O’Reilly (pictured right) said: “Siemens is among the biggest and the best in the offshore wind sector, and this positive, encouraging decision cements the Humber region as a vital UK and European centre for offshore wind.”

“This is another jolt of good news which we have all been waiting for and creates an atmosphere of industry excellence, and financial opportunity, from which we can all be benefit.”

“In the months and years ahead, we are likely to see a positive and sustained impact on our member companies all along the offshore wind supply chain, potentially during construction and when operational.”

“While the developments linked to Round 2 and 3 windfarms off the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire coasts would almost certainly have gone ahead whether Siemens had made the decision to come to Hull or not, the news puts the spotlight on what skills and services are being offered by companies in the region.”

“Siemens coming to Hull and the Humber sends out a clear message to other manufacturing companies in the sector who will now be able to push ahead with their plans to build their own facilities

THMA member companies include the likes of ABP, Dalby Offshore, Dunstons, MMS Shiprepair, MTL Group, P&O Ferries, RES Offshore and Tata Steel, among many others.

Able has also welcomed the news that Siemens is to go ahead with plans for facilities at Hull, describing it as ‘a strong and positive message that the Humber will be a world-class centre for the renewable energy industries.’

The company said the long-awaited announcement on the development at the proposed Green Port Hull, was a key element in the overall blueprint for establishing the ‘Energy Estuary’ along with its own development of the Able Marine Energy Park on the south bank of the river.

Able’s Executive Chairman Peter Stephenson said: “When the suggestion that Siemens may come to the Humber was announced over three years ago we welcomed it as a great vote of confidence in the potential of the Humber—and that still remains the case today.”

Tim Durkin, the recently elected President of the Hull & Humber Chamber of Commerce said: “This is great news, not just for the City of Hull, but also for the Humber region.

“Whilst this £310-million investment will bring much needed employment to the area, the priority now must be to ensure that skills trainers provide qualified applicants from the local area to fill those jobs and not applicants from outside the area.

“That will also enable our region to satisfy the requirements of the supply chain which will, in time, follow Siemens to the area.”

World Trade Centre directors, official partners and staff are also reacting favourably to the news.

Dominic Ward, senior partner at Andrew Jackson Solicitors and a World Trade Centre director (pictured above) said: “This really is hugely significant for the Hull and the Humber region.

“Clearly the Humber will become a major attraction for international companies and the WTC will be at the forefront in promoting the region around the world.

“The South Korean company CS Wind Corporation that is planning an operation at Paull is an immediate example of a business from Asia investing in the region. We will see a lot more interest and investment from overseas companies over the coming years.

Peter Brown, CEO of Neill & Brown Global Logistics and a WTC director (pictured below) said: “This has created great excitement. The deal underlines the strategic location of the Humber and the importance of the renewable energy sector to the UK economy.

“We are thrilled at this news. It marks a new era for the city and businesses have been working hard behind the scenes for the last three years to put them in the position to make the most of the opportunities it presents throughout the supply chain. It took real faith for these businesses to commit time and money to this.

“The young people of our city can look forward with confidence to a future which provides much improved employment and training opportunities. We expect to see Hull and the Humber transformed over the next 10 years.”

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