The world’s leading offshore wind developer has welcomed steps to accelerate the build out of further capacity in the UK.
Duncan Clark, the Danish giant’s UK head, has welcomed the move by Business and Energy Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng to make the clean power auction an annual event.
As reported, the step was made last week to build on the strong platform already enjoyed by the country – having been made a priority in the Prime Minister’s 10-point plan for a green recovery from Covid.
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It came as Norfolk Vanguard – a 1.8GW project from Vattenfall – was given the go-ahead by Mr Kwarteng.
Mr Clark, currently overseeing the build of Hornsea Two – a 1.4GW wind farm that will take the record from ‘little’ sister site Hornsea One – both built out of Hull and operated and maintained from Grimsby, said: “We welcome this commitment from the Government and the recognition that long-term investment to grow the UK’s renewable energy capacity will provide cheaper, cleaner power to drive the decarbonisation of the UK economy and reduce our dependence on fossil fuels.
”Offshore wind is a huge success story for the UK, having come from almost nothing to becoming the world-leader over the last two decades. This has only been possible because of the support of successive governments and the creation of an effective and stable regulatory regime which has enabled the offshore wind industry to flourish, supporting tens of thousands of jobs and attracting billions of pounds in investment.
“The certainty provided gives developers, supply chain companies and the financial sector the confidence to invest whilst also providing the competitive tension required to drive down prices at an unprecedented rate and start to deliver the low-cost, clean power the country needs.
”More regular auction rounds is a good step towards delivering further growth, which can be amplified if future seabed leasing rounds were also brought forward and scaled up. To match the required decarbonisation of the grid by 2035 we now need to unlock the faster delivery of projects through accelerated grid access and consent.”
It comes as Siemens Gamesa doubles its blade facility at Hull to meet demand, while tower and foundation manufacturing looks set to come to Able Marine Energy Park at North Killingholme.
ABP is also marketing a huge swathe of land to the west of the developed port in Hull to attract investors, with the freeport incentive also front and centre.
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