Port of Blyth will be exhibiting at NOF’s virtual Offshore Wind North East 2020 this week, as part of the Energy Central partnership, the exhibition’s conference headline sponsor.
Ideally situated mid-way between Aberdeen and Great Yarmouth and with a long track record in the wind sector, Port of Blyth will be keen to share with delegates at Offshore Wind North East why it is now regarded as one of the UK’s leading offshore energy support bases.
The combination of the port’s sector experience with a mature on-site supply chain and significant land development opportunities make it a highly attractive proposition for expanding companies in the wind sector.
The Port has four main ISPS compliant deep water terminals with over 1.5km of working quayside to accommodate multiple offshore vessels up to a maximum of 220m in length with no air draft restrictions. Deep water berths to 9.5m LAT are complimented by permanent heavy lift crane capacity up to 600 tonnes and strengthened quayside able to handle large complex lifts, in addition to extensive modern warehousing and workshops with large open storage areas.
Engineering Supply Chain
Beyond marine infrastructure and port services, Blyth has a well-established engineering supply chain with extensive expertise. Major clients from the offshore wind market such as Enshore and Global Marine Group are able to take advantage of a ‘one stop shop’ approach to project support with fabrication, mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and welding capability available 365 days a year.
The port’s growth – not just in terms of its reputation as a major UK offshore energy support base – but also in attracting infrastructure investment and business relocation, offers the offshore wind sector an unrivalled opportunity to succeed in partnership with a modern trust port with ambitions to make a notable contribution in the UK’s success both domestically and internationally.
Energy Central
As well as the port’s expertise, Energy Central combines the world leading test facilities of ORE Catapult, the business support services of Advance Northumberland and the collection of energy related supply chain businesses with one of the most significant quayside developments sites in the UK, to offer inward investors a really compelling opportunity in the North East of England.
Port of Blyth is close to completing a £3m redevelopment project at its Bates Terminal which includes the reconstruction and strengthening of one of the terminal’s quays. In response to continued interest in the Port’s offshore energy support base model, a kilometre of new roadway has also been installed to improve access and considerable earthworks to level a 4HA area of the terminal set aside for development have been completed.
The £32m programme of remediation and reclamation to prepare the first phase of the Northumberland Energy Park is taking place as a result of Local Government funding in order to provide the right conditions for economic growth.
A collection of very large, scalable port-side development sites, Energy Central offers expansive land development opportunities combined with deep water, lock-free and near 365 day a year access to open sea with Enterprise Zone status supporting investment across these sites, either through revenue incentives to support business growth or capital investment support for projects to reduce client’s investment risk.
Training the Next Generation
Port Training Services, Port of Blyth’s award winning training division, has been at the forefront of the port skills agenda for many years. In recent times that leading role has been extended into the offshore energy sector too with a partnership with Newcastle College establishing the flagship Diploma in Offshore Renewables & Subsea Engineering Level 3 qualification.
In a first for the UK wind industry the Port installed a bespoke wind turbine training facility at its Bates terminal as part of a £1m investment in training provision aimed at the offshore energy sector. To learn more about the wind turbine training facility, click here to watch a video about its installation.
For more information on Port of Blyth’s offering to the wind sector speak to us at Offshore Wind North East 2020 or contact Andy Williamson, Business Development Manager via andy.williamson@portofblyth.co.uk or 07703 754 987.
