Denmark-based offshore wind power developer DONG Energy plans to invest GBP 6 billion in the Humber region over the period of 2013 – 2019, according to a new report released during the UK’s first Offshore Wind Week.
The report titled Impact of DONG Energy Investments in the Humber Area shows that over the period 2015 – 2020, DONG Energy will support an average of 1,600 construction jobs per year in the Humber, and that up to 500 long-term jobs could be created in DONG Energy’s operations and maintenance activity from 2020 onwards.
Lord Haskins, Chair of the Humber Local Enterprise Partnership , said: “I welcome this report, which shows the impact of DONG Energy’s investments on the Humber. The report is a further demonstration of how investment in the offshore wind sector can have a positive effect on local communities and the economy – in the Humber, as the UK’s energy estuary, and in the country as a whole.”
The report, undertaken by Regeneris Consulting, also suggests that DONG Energy’s offshore wind farms in the Humber will meet the electricity needs of over 1.5 million homes once future projects are fully operational, with GBP 1.2 billion potential Gross Value Added (GVA) that could be secured by the Humber from 2010 – 2030 as a result of DONG Energy investments.
“Our GBP 6 billion of investment in the Humber by 2019 is creating long-term high-skills jobs, supporting a thriving UK supply chain and helping the region continue as a hub for the UK’s renewable energy sector,” Brent Cheshire, DONG Energy’s UK Country Chairman, said.
“Along with other offshore wind companies, we are making a major contribution to the development of the Northern Powerhouse, building strong local economies for years to come. The UK is our largest market for offshore wind and we are honoured to be part of the significant growth of the Humber. We see an exciting future in the region with great opportunities for local businesses and people.”
DONG Energy currently has two offshore wind farms, Lincs and Westermost Rough, in operation on the UK’s East Coast, meeting the electricity needs of over 340,000 homes. Two further projects, Race Bank and Hornsea Project One, are under construction or in development and once they are operational, DONG Energy offshore wind farms in the region are expected to meet the electricity needs of over 1.5 million homes.
DONG Energy has also acquired the lease for the rest of the Hornsea offshore wind development zone and if built, Hornsea Project Two and Hornsea Project Three could deliver a further 3 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind power, and additional investment into the Humber region beyond 2019.