Consultations to continue on massive wind farm proposal
Scunthorpe Telegraph|November 3, 2011
Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures are leading the SMart Wind development, which could when completed feed in 4GW of power to the National Grid - via a substation at North Killingholme.
It also opens up all manner of opportunities for construction and operations and maintenance from the Humber ports, due to its close proximity off the East Yorkshire coast.
The consultations with communities on which the cable route could impact come against a backdrop of concerns that the slight reduction in funding from the Government could see projects re-evaluated.
But Dr Eddie O'Connor, chief executive of Mainstream Renewable Power, …
... more [truncated due to possible copyright]Mainstream Renewable Power and Siemens Project Ventures are leading the SMart Wind development, which could when completed feed in 4GW of power to the National Grid - via a substation at North Killingholme.
It also opens up all manner of opportunities for construction and operations and maintenance from the Humber ports, due to its close proximity off the East Yorkshire coast.
The consultations with communities on which the cable route could impact come against a backdrop of concerns that the slight reduction in funding from the Government could see projects re-evaluated.
But Dr Eddie O'Connor, chief executive of Mainstream Renewable Power, said: "I welcome the Government's announcement that it intends to continue its support for the growing offshore wind and marine renewables sector.
"The UK has a massive opportunity to consolidate its global leadership position in offshore wind, which will bring energy security, stable electricity prices, and industrial development to this country.
"As the largest independent offshore wind developer in the UK, Mainstream Renewable Power is committed to matching the Government's support for our sector by reiterating our determination to deliver the jobs, the renewable energy, and the cost reductions that will help to build this country's new low carbon economy.
"Within that new economy, it will be offshore wind that will deliver the lion's share of the investment, the growth in new industries, and the value added, such that by the middle of this century it has been predicted that the UK could be a net exporter of electricity, delivering from its offshore resources the electricity equivalent of one-billion barrels of oil a year."
Dr O'Connor, an early supporter of Able UK's proposed Marine Energy Park at North Killingholme, said: "It is clear that offshore wind is already creating value and delivering jobs across the supply chain in the Tyne, Tees and Humber regions from steel fabrication to vessel construction, and from large-scale port infrastructure investment to electric component manufacture.
"At Mainstream we have taken a hands-on approach to engaging with the supply chain in the UK, investing in skills and training initiatives, and working with partners to deliver real jobs and investment in this new economy."
SMart Wind is now at an advanced stage of securing land options for both the cable routes and potential converter station locations, and the events, taking place next month, build on feedback secured through consultations held earlier this year.