UK deepwater base develops offshore energy businesses

Energy Central, located in Blyth, North East England, is delivered through a partnership between Arch and the Port of Blyth and provides nearly 200 hectares of land with quayside access.

Martin Lawlor, chief executive at the Port of Blyth, said: “Energy Central offers an ideal location for companies looking for access to markets including offshore wind projects…”

Financial incentives

Four available sites have Enterprise Zone status and offer financial incentives – Northumberland Energy Park, Bates Terminal & Wimbourne Quays, Dun Cow Quay and Commissioners Quay, alongside established sites South Harbour and Battleship Wharf.

These sites, together with assets such as the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, a port training centre and a collection of Newcastle University’s research facilities, make up Energy Central.

Over £30m of government funding has been allocated to help secure economic growth within Energy Central. This funding has supported commercial development on key Energy Central sites as well as a continued programme of investment in both development and site preparation.

Park development

£25m will support a programme of remediation and reclamation to prepare Northumberland Energy Park Phase 1.

Energy Central has supported several significant offshore energy projects, including the relocation of Royal IHC Ltd’s entire manufacturing and project base into Blyth, where the Port of Blyth has supported the company in assembly and movement of the world’s most advanced J-Lay pipe system.

Energy Central aims to attract further investment from the energy sector at September’s SPE Offshore Europe 2017 in Aberdeen.

By Rebecca Jeffrey