Wind turbine manufacturing is inspiring a sustainable future

Wind turbine manufacturing is inspiring a sustainable future.

Proposals from Associated British Ports (ABP) and Siemens to build Green Port Hull, an offshore wind turbine manufacturing plant, on the North bank of the Humber Estuary have been welcomed across the region.

Hull

Round 3 offshore wind farm sites

The Government’s independent advisors, the Committee for Climate Change, have made it clear that the UK needs investment in clean, decarbonised electricity if we are to meet our Climate Change Act commitments to cut carbon emissions.

Friends of the Earth’s analysis shows that offshore wind could provide up to 40% of electricity demand in 2030.

Investments in the renewables industry, like Green Port Hull, could ensure that the sector grows to be worth up to £75 billion within the next decade with further growth in the 2020s. This will provide secure, affordable and clean energy whilst breathing new life into places like Hull.

A new future for Hull?In recent years, the economic situation in Hull has been particularly bleak. In some areas there are over 40 unemployed people for every job vacancy and Hull and Grimsby have suffered the highest rises in JSA claimants since 2008. Youth unemployment rates (over 1 in 10) are amongst the highest in the UK. The area needs significant investment to create a sustainable economy that benefits residents.

The Humber area is the ideal place to deliver the benefits of a vibrant offshore wind and marine energy industry.

Green jobs have been described as “the employment phenomenon of the next decade” and have a major role in the Government’s commitment to rebalance the UK economy.

A win, win, win situationThe £210 million Green Port Hull

development will enable clean electricity generation in the North Sea with a hugely

positive impact for both sides of the Humber.

The regeneration of the Alexandra Docks and the boost to the local economy will bring new optimism to the area. Hull’s potential to become a world class centre of excellence for this growing industry could ensure a strong local economy for decades to come.

Siemens estimate that 300 jobs will be created during construction with 800 people employed

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directly when the site is operational. However, up to 10000 jobs could be created in the local supply chain.

The North Sea has been described as “the Saudi Arabia of the renewables world”. Hull’s proximity to the offshore wind developments in the Hornsea Range and Dogger Bank and the deep water channels in the Humber make it the ideal location for investment.

Key people across the region are collaborating to provide a holistic approach. The business community are galvanising action to ensure success. The University of Hull and the educational sector are gearing up to provide the specific training and research to ensure a skilled local workforce can reap the benefits.

And local MPs face the challenge of ensuring that Government action supports the renewables industry to deliver certainty for investors like Siemens and the many potential suppliers.

Dark clouds on the horizon?Investors in renewable energy need clarity from the Government’s Energy Bill on electricity market reform before committing millions on the manufacturing plants and generation sites required to build a UK offshore wind industry.

However, the Energy Bill fails to give that investor certainty and instead offers a huge “back-door” subsidy for the failing nuclear industry and is more likely to trigger a second dash for imported gas generation. And it fails to steer a clear course to the critical decarbonisation of our electricity supply.

1 Alok Jha, ‘£75bn for UK’s biggest offshore wind programme sig-nals new era for renewables’ , The Guardian, 8 Jan. 2010. 2 Roger Ratcliffe, ‘Into the light’, The Big Issue In the North, 930 (2012), 13. Title page image Siemens, ‘offshore-wind-turbines’, [online photo-graph’ (n.d.) < http://www.siemens.co.uk/pool/news_press/news_ar-chive/offshore-wind-turbines.jpg>, accessed 15 June 2012.

Over 85% of people in the UK support renewable energy. Friends of the Earth’s Clean British Energy campaign aims to ensure that the Energy Bill secures a bright future for renewable energy whilst reducing demand.

Only then will the UK become world leaders in tackling climate change and the bright new hope for places like Hull will become reality.

Publication Date: 28 June 2012Friends of the Earth England, Wales & Northern Ireland

This…is great news for people in Yorkshire and the environment. Tony Bosworth – Friends of the Earth climate campaigner

Friends of the Earth Trust Limited, a registered charitywww.foe.co.ukOur paper is totally recycled and our printers hold [EMAS or ISO14001] which means they are about the environment. June 2012.

For 40 years, Friends of the Earth has led campaigns resulting in significant change including:

> The world-leading Climate Change Act.> Setting EU targets for renewable energy.> Securing and protecting the feed-in tariff for solar and other renewable power.> Legislation to eradicate fuel poverty.

None of this was done on our own – successful campaigns rely on working with others from many different sectors.

Will you be part of Clean British Energy?www.cleanbritishenergy.co.uk