Royal visit for Norfolk offshore industry
The Duke of York has been in Norfolk, UK, this week to visit Scira Offshore Energy and meet staff from the Gardline Group, the marine sciences company based in Great Yarmouth.
His Royal Highness Prince Andrew is reportedly interested to learn more about the rapidly developing offshore renewables industry in the UK.
Scira and Gardline have both been involved in the development of the 88 turbine Sheringham Shoal Offshore Wind Farm, situated off the North Norfolk coast. Scira Offshore Energy is jointly owned by Norway’s Statoil and Statkraft.
Gardline has been involved in survey projects during the construction of the offshore wind farm, which is now nearing completion.
John Morse, business development manager, renewables, Gardline Group, said to Maritime Journal: “During his visit the Duke challenged the sustainability of the renewable industry in order to better understand its pinchpoints – mainly the issues in the supply chain and the planning process.”
“Offshore wind faces significant challenges and at present is too reliant on subsidies. The Duke’s visit gave industry an opportunity to raise these issues and we hope it will lead to clarification of the process on the general viability and sustainability of the offshore wind industry going forward.”
During his visit, the Duke also visited the new outer harbour in Wells-next-the-Sea to inspect one of Gardline’s latest wind farm vessels built by Alicat Workboats and met representatives from the wider community. He also attended a lunch with representatives of nine organisations actively involved in the offshore and renewable energy sectors.
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