Conference shows firms how to capitalise on offshore wind boom

Date: 17/02/2012

Alan Johnson, MP for Hull West and Hessle, speaking at the offshore wind energy supply chain conference.

HOW can a Hull-based car salesman or a local hotelier capitalise on the Humber's predicted renewables boom?

As delegates at yesterday's offshore wind energy conference in Hessle discovered, there are lucrative opportunities available for companies across all sectors.

Eric Collins, general manager of Humberside Engineering Training Association (Heta), said: "Many people think all of the jobs linked to renewables will be in manufacturing and servicing turbines.

"Yes, there will be many opportunities like this, but behind those there will be more opportunities in everything else you can think of, from services and catering to car sales.

"When the South Yorkshire coal fields had redundancies, car salesmen would rub their hands as they knew some of that cash would end up with them.

"It is the same here in the Humber and the new jobs, and the money it will bring, will have wider benefits."

The conference, which took place at the Country Park Inn, Hessle, was organised by Footprint Renewables and the Renewables Network.

Its aim was to provide a guide for businesses on how they could prepare for the opportunities on the horizon.

Charles Heath, of Renewables Network, said: "People often wonder what a hotel has to do with the renewables industry, but when you consider how many people will travel to the Humber as a result of what is happening here, you begin to realise they have as much chance to benefit as companies already working in offshore wind."

Speakers at the event included Alan Johnson MP, Sam Pick of Renewables Network, Professor Chee Wong of the Logistic Institute, John Britton of BCG Bridgepoint, Jonathan Rollison of Point Engineering and Andrew Morton of Footprint Renewables.

Mr Morton said: "Despite the complexity and challenges presented the industry, I believe we have the skills and passion within the Humber to seize the significant chance afforded by the offshore wind revolution.

"And - given the unprecedented scale of the opportunity for our region - it's essential we do just this."

Rob Bell of Archomai also spoke at the conference, and said there plenty of exciting opportunities ahead for companies across the region.

But he warned that simply being located in the Humber - just 12 hours sailing time from the huge offshore wind farms that are set to transform the North Sea - was not enough to guarantee a place in the supply chain.

He said: "We started this journey saying we all have the benefit of location.

"We have location in spades but if we are not careful we are going to fritter that away.

"We need to be upping our game. If we don't, others will come in and eat our lunch."