Wind Energy Opportunities Announced

The wind energy revolution will provide massive opportunities for business in the region over the next three decades, a conference was told on Wednesday.

Delivering the keynote speech at the East of England Energy Group's Conference at Great Yarmouth Racecourse, David Hodkinson, head of UK development for wind power at energy firm Vattenfall, set the vision of a rapidly developing industry that will create thousands of jobs in the region across the supply chain.

Vattenfall will be one of the partners developing the 1,000-turbine East Anglia Bank windfarm 12 miles off the Norfolk and Suffolk coast which will supply 7.2gw of power - the equivalent of seven Sizewell Bs.

Outlining the scale of the £20bn project, Mr Hodkinson said it would involve building the equivalent of a new Thanet windfarm - the 100-turbine scheme they have completed off the Kent coast - every six months over the next 10 years.

Describing the fast-moving progress in windfarm construction, he said a new world record had been set at Thanet in delivering nine turbines at a time on a single vessel.

Mr Hodkinson told the delegates, who included representatives of energy firms and local authorities, that the industry had a responsibility to work together to develop processes that were safe, effective and fit for purpose.

He said East Anglia's infrastructure was perfectly suited for the burgeoning industry and the region could capitalise on its 40 years of experience in the North Sea gas industry. He highlighted manufacture of turbine foundations as a particular opportunity for the region.

John Best, chief executive of EEEGR, which acts as a voice for the region's energy industry, said their seventh summer conference was especially exciting as they were on the threshold of a wind revolution.

“We have spent nine years getting to the start line, but we are perfectly positioned to be an integrating force for the energy industry in the East of England going forward,” he said.

Mr Best stressed that while wind energy would be a great opportunity, developing a healthy mix of energy sources was vital to sustain Britain's need.

This need was reflected by the wide range of speakers, covering everything from the nuclear power industry to the production of biofuels.

The potential of the latter was symbolised by a Lotus car parked at the racecourse that runs on fuel produced from sugar.

Courtesy of EDP