Siemens Files New Plans for Alexandra Dock

Siemens submitted further reserved matters planning application for its Green Port Hull project, developed in partnership with Associated British Ports (ABP), to Hull City Council’s Planning Department on March 27.

The new application confirms the company’s plan to build wind turbine blade manufacturing, assembly and servicing facilities at Alexandra Dock, instead of the originally planned Paull site. In addition, Siemens contemplates an extension to the blade factory, which would be built to the east of the main facility.

Shaun Cray, Siemens’ General Manager, Real Estate and Construction, for the Hull project, said in a statement to Offshore WIND: “We are pleased with the progress we are making in implementing our plans for world-class offshore wind facilities in Hull which, when fully operational, will employ 1,000 people directly.

“Submitting an application to Hull City Council for permission for our updated and improved scheme is a significant step towards the start of construction, which is scheduled for this summer, dependent on planning consent. This follows very positive feedback from the local community when we gave a detailed overview of our plans at a well-attended public information day held on 9th March at The Deep.”

In a letter accompanying the application, the company explained that its overall requirements for the wider Hull area have evolved, resulting in a one-site strategy.

When contacted by Offshore WIND regarding the latest progress at the Alexandra Dock site, Hull City Council’s Planning Manager, Alex Codd, said: “The offshore wind development on Alexandra Dock has so far benefitted from the council’s adoption of the Port of Hull Local Development Order (which has simplified the planning process and was critical in enabling the blade plant to be relocated from Paull to Alexandra Dock) and Enterprise Zone status to help Hull realise its ambition of becoming the country’s Energy City.”

Mark Jones, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration at the Hull City Council, said: “The ABP and Siemens investment will not only make a huge difference to the city’s economy, but also help transform green energy and bring world-class facilities to Hull.

“We look forward to working with our partners on this key project and ensuring that Hull is the market leader for the UK’s offshore wind industry.”

Siemens included piling works for the possible extension in the current application so the piling work could be carried out simultaneously with the construction of the main blade factory, to avoid any disruption to operation of the blade factory production.

Furthermore, the new application covers office space and welfare facilities, buildings and facilities for the on-going servicing and maintenance of wind turbines, and associated infrastructure.

It sets out a plan for open and covered areas for the storage, handling, assembly and testing of wind turbines and components and, potentially, the erection of wind turbines prior to shipping.

Some other works include partially infilling Alexandra Dock to provide additional storage area,  dredging for the new quay and the additional lead-in berth, refurbishment of the Eastern Lead-in Jetty, and an in-dock Roll-on/ Roll-off (Ro/Ro) ramps for the unloading of wind turbine components.

The facility will receive initial deliveries in autumn 2016, in anticipation of a project load out from January 17. The facility is scheduled to be fully operational by spring 2017, with blade production beginning in early 2017.

In autumn of last year, asset management and project investment firm GRAHAM and civil engineering and building contractors Lagan Construction Group began preparing the site and many of the buildings on site have already been demolished. In January this year, significant preparation work commenced.

Offshore WIND Staff; Image: Green Port Hull