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Humber Leads the Clean Energy Revolution - North Lincolnshire’s offshore wind super-cluster will make it a driving force in the UK energy scene

Humber Leads the Clean Energy Revolution

North Lincolnshire’s offshore wind super-cluster will make it a driving force in the UK energy scene
By locations4business
North Lincolnshire Council

Currently responsible for 27% of the UK’s oil refinery capacity, the South Humber Gateway is widely recognised as the energy capital of the UK. Now, the area is set to become a centre for the UK renewable energy industry.

Adapting to growing opportunities in the energy sector, the Northern Lincolnshire authorities that help drive forward the development of the South Humber Gateway are supporting ongoing investments in this emerging market. The private sector is also backing this commitment with local multi-million pound projects, including a Marine Energy Park and renewable energy plants.

The Energy Capital of the UK

The ConocoPhillips Humber Refinery and the Total Lindsey Oil Refinery together refine 22.5 million tonnes a year, making this the UK’s largest refinery cluster. ConocoPhillips have also expanded the capacity of the low carbon Immingham combined heat and power (CHP) station during 2010, making it the largest and most efficient in Europe. Total Lindsey Oil is currently working towards an upgrade, which will allow the refinery to handle a higher level of high sulphur crude. In line with EU Clean Air Legislation, this will support a lower carbon environment.

Renewable Futures

Round 3 of the Government’s £100 billion Offshore Wind programme aims to have a quarter of the UK’s electricity produced by renewable wind sources by 2020, and is expected to create 70,000 jobs. The wider Humber region, including the South Humber Gateway, is one of the primary locations in the UK highlighted as having the land, education resources, and manufacturing expertise to house a super-cluster for offshore wind development. Housing the UK’s busiest ports complex of Grimsby, Immingham & Killingholme, not to mention Humberside Airport, also presents significant logistical advantages.

Phase 1 of the Able UK Marine Energy Park was announced for the South Humber Gateway in July 2010. The £600 million private investment will see the foundations laid for an offshore wind super-cluster, which is expected to bring 5,100 direct jobs to the local area.

Plans are also in place for the further development of biomass, bioethanol and anaerobic digestion production on the South Humber Gateway.

Low Carbon Humber

The wider Humber region has been named the UK’s 1st Low Carbon Economic Area for Carbon Capture and Storage. This innovative area of development is expected to see £6.5 billion of investment and create up to 100,000 jobs across the country by 2030. As the Humber is home to the UK’s largest CO2 emitters, and has competitive advantages in the form of naturally occurring storage areas under the North Sea, it is expected to benefit largely from this initiative.

For more information on doing business in North Lincolnshire, see their pages.