Plans unveiled for £400m Humber marine energy park

Able UK a major North-East company has today announced multi-million pound plans for a 1,630-metre quay - one of the largest in the UK - confident that a number of offshore wind manufacturers and supply companies are headed to Northern Lincolnshire. The £400m investment, if all goes to plan, will make the Humber the centre of the UK's offshore wind industry, with the company confident no other location is able to compete with the Humber and the South Humber Gateway site in particular.

The investment in a prestigious Marine Energy Park is a direct result of the Government's Round 3 Offshore wind licences.

Because of sailing times to the offshore wind sites, the Humber has a major competitive edge over any of its rivals, in the UK and mainland Europe. The South Humber Gateway site also scores highly due to the size of the land available and its access to the last undeveloped deep-water channel in the UK.

The sheer scale of investment in the quay itself and on the part of the offshore wind operators and supply companies will, if approved, easily surpass anything seen on the Humber, on either bank, for at least the last 50 years. It is that significant and key to the area’s economy.

It could transform the economies of both banks on to a trajectory not seen before - bringing quality, well-paid jobs. North Lincolnshire Council is working on the assumption that this, if finally approved, has the potential to create 5,100 direct jobs on the South Humber Gateway, this takes no account of indirect jobs both in the Humber and beyond.

Design on the quay will begin shortly. It is hoped that approval for the large-scale infrastructure project, from the successor to the Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC), will be forthcoming by March 2012. If this timescale is met, it is hoped construction on the quay will be complete by summer 2015.

Today's announcement marks the start of informal consultation by Able UK, on the proposed quay with a wide range of organisations, government departments, regulatory bodies and individuals.

Cllr Mark Kirk, leader of North Lincolnshire Council, said the announcement of a new quay is a massive vote of confidence in northern Lincolnshire and the Humber.

He added: "Of course there is a long way to go before we can be 100 per cent confident that the quay will be approved by the IPC or its successor. That said, there can be little doubt most areas of the country, including in the much more prosperous South East, are desperate for such a jobs boost. Today's announcement has to be viewed as extremely positive and a real shot in the arm for our economy and for local people. This project will transform the area’s economic prospects.

"The significance of this investment will be felt positively on both banks of the Humber.”

Charles Lewis, chair of the South Humber Gateway Board, said: “This is really fantastic news. It signals yet further evidence of major private sector interest in the South Humber Gateway. It will bring quality jobs to northern Lincolnshire and the Humber.

"The future of the South Humber Gateway now looks assured. It's a fantastic site and with today's announcement, bringing with it, over a number of years, over 5,000 jobs, it is something we should all be excited about.

"At long last, the Humber is starting to realise its undoubted potential. And not before time."

Able UK have today announced, that the Marine Energy Park proposals envisage 12,500 direct jobs - 5, 100 on site, 5,100 more in the region and 2,300 in the rest of the UK — as well as generating a further 10,400 indirect jobs in North Lincolnshire and 2,400 in the wider region.

Notes for editors
The 5,100 jobs are in addition to the 5,000 jobs announced as part of Able Planning Application M456, bringing the total number of new jobs to 10,100.
The existing Able UK planning applications are to be determined in August.
The Humber is the fastest growing port and logistics location in the UK – port growth from 1988 UK: 24% Humber 86%
Dept for Transport UK Growth projections: Container traffic forecast to grow 178%, Ro-Ro traffic forecast to grow 112%.

Anticipated Development Timescale
June 2010 Design finalised.
July 2010 main contractor appointed.
Q2 2011 formal Infrastructure Planning Commission (IPC) or its successor, submission.
Q1 2012 IPC or its successor approval
April 2012 Construction commences.
Q3 2013 First quay available.
Q2 2015 Construction completed.

Click here to download a copy of the plan showing the new quay and Able Marine Energy Park.

For media enquiries please contact:
Chris Skinner, Head of Communications & Resources
Tel: 01724 296301, Mobile: 07717586301
Email: chris.skinner@northlincs.gov.uk