30,000 jobs to blow into the North East from offshore wind

Government plans for a massive expansion in the UK's offshore wind capacity could result in the creation of up to 30,000 new jobs in the North East region alone.

That is the view of energy minister Malcolm Wicks who will today map out plans for the creation of a clean technology hub in the region that could attract up to £3bn in investment.

The minister is to speak at the official opening of new buildings and facilities at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) at Blyth, near Gateshead, where work is to begin on the building of the world's largest offshore turbine. The new turbine, which will be almost 10 times taller than the Angel of the North, is to be built by US wind turbine manufacturer Clipper Wind under a deal signed late last year with NaREC.

Wicks said the North East had already established itself as a "pioneer" in the offshore wind industry and now had the potential to build a dominant position in the fast-expanding global market. "The North East already has a wealth of skills and experience in the manufacturing sector to diversify into the green energy market," he added.

Margaret Fay, chairman of development agency One NorthEast agreed that the region's heritage in heavy manufacturing and shipping means it already has access to many of the skills and facilities that will be required in the development of offshore turbines.

"The North East has always been recognised for its excellence in energy - coal and Newcastle is a connection made across the world," she said. "But now we are leading the way in renewables and combining that expertise with manufacturing. The region has the skills in the offshore sector, the ready-made sites along the rivers for companies to use and public sector research and d evelopment support to turn the region into a European hub for the fabrication, assembly and delivery of offshore wind turbines."