Offshore wind could provide 30% of Britain’s electricity generation by 2030, and the Port of Tyne is perfectly placed to support this growing renewable sector.
Announcing that the ‘Tyne is right’ to utilise its location, within 100 nautical miles of Dogger Bank, Hornsea, Seagreen and Sofia, the Port of Tyne is increasing their offer to potential offshore wind manufacturers.
The Port of Tyne is nearing the final phase of a major investment programme to infill Tyne Dock and increase its commercial property portfolio.
Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne Chief Executive Officer, said: “The £3 million programme to complete Tyne Dock infill will result in an additional 30 acres of land with deep-sea quayside access to support offshore wind.
“The demolition of a number of buildings means our latest infrastructure programme provides increased storage capacity at Tyne Dock Enterprise Park, which already has excellent multimodal connectivity by sea, road and rail and offers all the benefits of Enterprise Zone status.”
From its close proximity just 67 nautical miles from the Seagreen site (off the east coast of Scotland) and 86 nautical miles from the Hornsea site (off the coast of Yorkshire) and 98 nautical miles from Sofia and Dogger Bank sites – the Port of Tyne is in a prime position to minimise transit times and service the needs of offshore wind developers.
Andrew Hodgson, North East LEP Chair, said: “Offshore Wind is a sector in which the North East has particular strengths and our Strategic Economic Plan identifies offshore wind as an area of strategic importance for the North East, with the potential to create more and better jobs for the region and to build on our already globally important offshore energy and subsea cluster.
“The government has recognised these strengths, with the North East being selected as one of the geographical clusters of the industry which the sector deal will focus on, and be delivered through, providing support across areas including skills, innovation and infrastructure.”
The Port of Tyne is perfectly placed to support the evolving needs of the offshore energy sector with lock free, unrestricted access to deep-sea berths adjacent to Enterprise Zone land, a developed supply chain cluster and direct rail connection to Newcastle International airport.