UK gives thumbs-up to GBP-450m offshore renewables hub

Dec 18, 2013 - The British government said yes to Able UK’s proposal to build a GBP-450-million (USD 736m/EUR535m) offshore renewable technologies hub on the South bank of the Humber Estuary in England.

After several delays on the decision, the developer said in a statement on Wednesday that Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin has given the go-ahead to the proposed Able Marine Energy Park.

The hub will include quayside facilities built for the manufacture, assembly and installation of offshore renewable technologies. The project is expected to provide direct employment for some 4,000 people. Construction works are to commence early in 2014, while the quay will be available near the end of 2016, Able UK said.

The Planning Inspectorate recommended that the government approve the plan early this year. A decision by the government was put off for a third time in August when Transport Minister Norman Baker requested additional evidence on the environmental compensation measures and the protection of the Killingholme branch railway. Able UK has developed a GBP-60-million package to protect the environment and wildlife, it said today.

Able UK founder and executive chairman Peter Stephenson noted that in November Austrian construction group Strabag (WBAG:STR) chose the Able Marine Energy Park as a “preferred location” for an offshore wind gravity-based foundations factory that could create 400 to 500 jobs.

(GBP 1 = USD 1.636/EUR 1.190)

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