Region in 30,000 Jobs Windfall?

A GOVERNMENT Minister claimed today that 30,000 manufacturing jobs could be created in the region because of offshore wind farms.

Energy Minister Malcolm Wicks, who was visiting the New and Renewable Energy Centre in Blyth, says investment of pounds 3bn could come to the region Californian energy giant Clipper Wind is already investing at the centre which is introducing new renewable technologies to the market, particularly offshore wind. Mr Wicks was officially unveiling the building and equipment where Clipper Wind plans to develop the world’s largest wind turbine, which will be almost ten times taller than the ‘Angel of the North’.

Around 3,000 extra offshore wind turbines will be needed to help the UK towards meeting its proposed EU target of 15% of total energy being generated from renewable sources by 2020 and Mr Wicks said: “The region is a pioneer in offshore wind. Blyth was the location for the first wind turbines to be subject to the full force of the weather and waves in the North Sea.

“The New and Renewable Energy Centre is setting a fantastic example.” Margaret Fay, chairman of the regional development agency, One NorthEast, said: “We are leading the way in renewables and combining that expertise with manufacturing.”

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