Implications for Norfolk/Suffolk
Benefits, Jobs
A report commissioned by the DTI calculates that offshore wind
farm installations across the UK are likely to create up to 16,000
jobs by 2010 and 40,800 jobs by 2020.
An AEA Technology Environment report, ‘Sea Wind East’,
calculates that the offshore wind industry could create a potential
60,000 jobs in the Eastern region by 2020 with employment multipliers
bumping this figure up to 150,000.
These optimistic job figures assume that wind turbine manufacturing
is based in the region but at present this industry is small. It
is essential that the government invests in and supports the infrastructure,
such as the Outer
Yarmouth Harbour, to enable wind turbine manufacturers and wind
farm developers to locate in the Norfolk/Suffolk region.
At present the majority of wind turbine technology, components
parts and built turbines come from abroad. Although the estimates
for job creation are 245 jobs for every 75MW offshore wind installation,
in June 2004 only 20 permanent jobs had been created at the 60MW
Scroby Sands development. As well as providing the location and
operational and maintenance staff, the manufacturing base for offshore
wind turbines needs to be in the UK and Norfolk/Suffolk is the ideal
place for such development.
Developments at the Round
Two sites in the Greater Wash and Thames Estuary will bring
jobs to Norfolk/Suffolk as the major ports located equidistant between
these two development areas are Lowestoft and Great Yarmouth.
The world’s largest offshore wind farm outside of territorial
waters, with an estimated 250 wind turbines, is proposed for a site
30-40km off the Lincolnshire Coast. Following the demise of the
fishing industry and the oil and gas industry, the skills base in
Norfolk/Suffolk is ideally suited to provide the skills and labour
to this and many more, developments.
For further information see:
Sea Wind East: How Offshore Wind in East Anglia could supply a
quarter of UK electricity needs at http://www.eeegr.com/filemaster/files/SeaWindEast.pdf
DTI Renewable Supply Chain Gap Analysis http://www.dti.gov.uk/energy/renewables/publications/pdfs/renewgapreport.pdf
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