This is an important project for us and we are delighted to be based in the heart of the Blyth community. As the project develops we look to hold meetings for local people who want to know more about the scheme
EDF Renewables
EDF Energy Renewables is a 50:50 joint venture between EDF Energy and the renewables arm of the EDF Group; EDF Energies Nouvelles. EDF Energy Renewables combines the skills, expertise and resources of its parent companies to lead on the EDF Group’s renewable energy developments both on and offshore and in new technologies across the UK.
Recognising Blyth’s potential as a premier location for large-scale offshore energy projects and the development of offshore windfarms, EDF Energy Renewables (EDF ER) selected Blyth as the site for its new offshore demonstrator project.
The Blyth Offshore Demonstrator project, which began construction in 2017, will see five new 8.3 MW wind turbines being built off Blyth’s coast. Once in operation, the new turbines will be capable of generating enough low-carbon energy to supply around 34,000 homes across the region and beyond.
Since securing the relevant planning permissions to begin work on the project, EDF Energy Renewables has worked closely with the Commercial and Business Support teams at Arch to locate and invest in new premises to base their project office and link into relevant energy networks locally.
The company has since opened a project office within Arch’s state-of-the-art Blyth Workspace building, from which EDF ER will facilitate the planning, management and coordination of all the engineering and construction activities associated with the development.
Currently employing around 40 staff, at its peak, the Blyth Offshore Demonstrator project will have over 200 people working on the scheme.
Ideally situated on the East coast of the UK, the Port of Blyth has for many years been home to a number of offshore energy companies, drawn by access to the North Sea basin and its natural assets. In recent years however, further investment in the area including the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult facilities and improved transport links has transformed Blyth into a thriving hub for companies in the renewable energy, subsea and marine sectors, so it was only a matter of time before Blyth started to attract big business.