As businesses prepare for an anticipated renewables boom in the Humber, one Hull firm is proving the opportunities are already there for the taking. Spencer Group has a significant role in the £736m Humber Gateway offshore wind farm – the region’s first major offshore wind development.
The specialist engineering business is installing the civil infrastructure and structure of a new sub-station, which will connect power from Humber Gateway to the National Grid.
The company, which is based at One Humber Quays, won the contract with CG Power after attending a Meet The Buyer event staged by power giant E.ON, developer of the project.
Now, the ripple effect of the deal is enabling local suppliers to also grab a slice of the action.
Drainage contractor Yorkshire Groundwork Solutions, structural steelwork company ESL GB and Ashford Cladding, all based in Hull, are just three of the companies that have been sub-contracted by Spencer to work on the project.
Project manager Richard Watson said: “We’re a local company, so it’s nice to get such a prestigious job on our doorstep.
“Wherever possible we are using local labour and sub-contractors, so we are ploughing the money back into the local economy.”
The Humber Gateway wind farm is due to be completed in spring 2015 and will be capable of generating power for up to 170,000 UK homes.
Gary Thornton, managing director of Spencer Group’s engineering division , said: “As a result of our work marketing and branding the business in the renewables sector we have been able to get that first door-open opportunity.
“That, in turn, allowed us to tell CG Power about the business and our aspirations and, in doing so, we drew on the services of our local supply chain to participate in the rebranding of the area as part of renewables drive along the Humber.
“We’re about helping our clients to succeed and helping our supply chain to succeed. The renewables sector provides a platform for SMEs to contribute to our service offering and, in turn, delight the client. We take the SMEs to a new place and they help take our business to a new place.”
Spencer Group is sponsoring the Engaging The Community category at the Humber Renewables Awards.
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Press release, January 24, 2013; Image: footprintrenewables