Wind
Offshore wind opportunities off the East Coast of England represent £9bn worth of potential investment of which £1bn should be captured in the East of England's economy, bearing in mind that 16% of the £80m invested in the Scroby Sands Project was captured in the East.
Renewables East are assisting the offshore wind development community to overcome the technical and institutional barriers to early deployment of offshore wind technologies - this includes identifying ways to enhance the logistical capabilities of the region's ports. We are also helping the region's businesses understand this emerging industry's needs and maximise the economic opportunities arising, by:
- playing an ambassadorial and fact finding role with manufacturers and engineering, procurement and construction companies - developing the supply chain
- arranging inward and external trade missions and running supply chain development events to showcase the region's capabilities.
There were three first-round proposals for off-shore wind farms Scroby Sands, Gunfleet Sands, and Cromer. The second-round proposals include three strategic areas of shallow waters - the ideal environment for siting offshore wind turbines - which have been identified by the Crown Estate and the DTI as appropriate for development in the Thames Estuary, Greater Wash and the North West. The sites were originally identified in November 2002 in the DTI's Future Offshore consultation, but have since been subject to rigorous environmental assessment, to assess the impact of proposed development, before sites could be offered for leasing.
In July 2003, the DTI asked The Crown Estate to invite windfarm developers to tender for sites in all the areas. It is understood that over 70 expressions of interest were registered with the Crown estate, from 29 companies or joint ventures. The greatest interest is in the Greater Wash area, with about 50% of the expressions of interest, followed by the Thames Estuary. About 25% of sites were outside UK territorial waters, and 20% of sites outside of the strategic areas.
OrbisEnergy - an Offshore Renewable Energy Centre is under construction in Lowestoft and due to open in the Summer of 2008. It will form a centre of excellence for the industry and promote the opportunities and latest developments, providing for extensive regional supply chain development.