A premier offshore energy location based in Blyth, Northumberland, Energy Central, aims to attract investment from the energy sector at its official launch this month at London’s Global Offshore Wind 2017 exhibition from June 6th until June 8th.
Energy Central is situated on the East Coast of the UK and provides access to nearly 200 hectares of land strategically positioned with quayside access. The site is aimed at offshore energy sector businesses looking to relocate and grow in Northumberland.
Arch and the Port of Blyth are promoting a selection of strategic development sites across the Blyth Estuary in Northumberland. These include four vacant sites with Enterprise Zone status offering financial incentives – Northumberland Energy Park, Bates Terminal & Wimbourne Quays, Dun Cow Quay and Commissioners Quay –and established sites South Harbour and Battleship Wharf. These sites, together with a number of key assets such as the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, a Port training centre and a collection of Newcastle Universities research facilities, make up Energy Central. The quayside location on the Blyth Estuary is well connected by road, rail and air and the energy sector in the area is supported by an established supply chain, a skilled workforce and a pipeline of talent.
The site is ideally located for offshore wind projects, the decommissioning of oil and gas assets in the Northern, Central and Southern North Sea sectors and fabrication, mobilisation and demobilisation for new and existing oil and gas fields in the United Kingdom Continental Shelf.
Martin Lawlor, Chief Executive at the Port of Blyth said: “We are happy to be working in partnership with Arch to deliver this strategic project. The Port of Blyth has a great deal of expertise and a consistent track record in supporting the delivery of large scale projects across the energy sector. Energy Central offers an ideal location for companies looking for access to markets including offshore wind energy assets in the North Sea.”
Over £30m of Government funding has been secured to provide the right conditions for economic growth within Energy Central. This funding has supported commercial development on key Energy Central sites as well as a continued programme of investment in both development and site preparation. £25m will support a programme of remediation and reclamation to prepare Northumberland Energy Park Phase 1, improving the capabilities of its dedicated dock access, and unlock a significant opportunity for businesses needing direct quay access.
Offshore Wind Energy 2017 is the largest offshore wind conference and exhibition in the world. The event will be attended by thousands of leading companies within the wind energy sector from all over the globe.
Jacqui Kell, Chief Executive at Arch, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity to showcase Energy Central at a global level. The site in Northumberland is ideal for energy sector businesses looking to locate and grow in an area that offers benefits including an experienced and ready-made skills base, Enterprise Zone status and a £25m investment to add a new deep-water quay.”
Arch and the Port of Blyth will be launching Energy Central at the Global Offshore Wind Exhibition 2017 at ExCel in London from Tuesday 6th June until Thursday 8th June 2017. They will be situated on stand S-M34 in the South Hall of the venue.
An official Energy Central launch reception, with Northumberland refreshments, is taking place on Wednesday 7th June on the Energy Central stand at the venue between 3:30pm – 5:30pm.
For more information about Energy Central, please visit: www.energycentraluk.co.uk (website live from 6th June) email info@energycentraluk.co.uk or call 01670 528 400.
Posted in: Energy, General