The Crown Estate to Head Renewables Thrust at Seawork
The 14th annual Seawork International, Europe’s largest on-the-water commercial marine exhibition and conference (14-16 June 2011, Port of Southampton, UK) will be enhanced by the active participation of The Crown Estate.
THE CROWN ESTATE TO HEAD RENEWABLES THRUST AT SEAWORK
The 14th annual Seawork International, Europe’s largest on-the-water commercial marine exhibition and conference (14-16 June 2011, Port of Southampton, UK) will be enhanced by the active participation of The Crown Estate.
In partnership with RenewableUK, the official supporting association of Seawork’s Renewable Energy Pavilion, and The Carbon Trust, The Crown Estate will host a full day conference programme on Wednesday 15 June 2011 in the auditorium adjoining the exhibition. A ‘state of the nation’ paper will open the day’s conference programme, covering wind, wave and tidal technologies and emphasising the importance of developing efficient and cohesive supply chains to meet contractual targets.
On 25 October 2010, The Crown Estate and the UK Government announced that a letter of intent to work together to support the development of the UK’s offshore wind manufacturing capacity had been agreed to ensure that port infrastructure requirements do not delay offshore wind deployment.
Roger Bright, chief executive of The Crown Estate said: “This announcement is another significant step in ensuring that the UK can meet its growing offshore wind supply chain requirements. I’m keen that The Crown Estate, working together with Government, helps in the creation of the maximum number of UK jobs from the offshore wind supply chain. With our four rounds of offshore wind energy programmes aiming to deliver over a quarter of the UK energy needs by 2020, a significant supply chain industry is required. Through our strategic role we are actively working with Government to help ensure the realisation of offshore renewable energy and the associated opportunities for the UK economy.”
Ports and harbours are a critical part of the offshore wind supply chain and The Crown Estate intends to act as a facilitator to help interested ports realise the potential of their sites. Seawork has been identified as an important element in making it happen.
Andrew Webster, Managing Director of Mercator Media, organisers of Seawork International, commented: “For several years, Seawork has been a major international focus for the renewables industry. The fact that The Crown Estate has chosen Seawork as an appropriate forum in which to stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the commercial marine industry is a great endorsement of the exhibition and represents a significant opportunity for our exhibitors and visitors. In 2011, Seawork will be a ‘must go’ occasion for all those involved in renewable energy.”
Seawork Conference - Renewable Energy Focus
The Crown Estate’s presence at Seawork is a positive sign to the commercial marine industry that ‘renewables means business’.
The Crown Estate has recently appointed a Health and Safety Ambassador, experienced in offshore wind, wave and tidal developments, as well as the oil and gas industry; H&S will be one focus of the conference day which will also major on Operation and Maintenance opportunities for Rounds 1 and 2 and Skills & Training, with support from the National Skills Academy for Power – indicative of the increased employment opportunities offered by the offshore industries.
ENDS
2 November 2010
For further information, please contact: Brian Pilcher 01243 839384/07702 617794
Aline Pilcher 01243 532516/07710 348554
www.seawork.com
Note to Editors
The property portfolio of The Crown Estate has a value of over £6.6 billion and extensive marine assets throughout the UK, including around half the foreshore, all the seabed out to the 12 nautical miles limit and the renewable energy rights out to the UK continental shelf. The Crown Estate pays the revenue from its assets directly to the UK Treasury.
RenewableUK is the trade and professional body for the UK wind and marine renewables industries. Formed in 1978, and with 660 corporate members, RenewableUK is the leading renewable energy trade association in the UK.
The Carbon Trust is a not-for-profit company with the mission to accelerate the move to a low carbon economy. It provides specialist support to help business and the public sector cut carbon emissions, save energy and commercialise low carbon technologies. By stimulating low carbon action, the Trust contributes to key UK goals of lower carbon emissions, the development of low carbon businesses, increased energy security and associated jobs.
Commenting on the initiative between the UK Government and The Crown Estate, the Prime Minister, Rt Hon David Cameron said: “The potential for Britain to lead in the offshore wind industry is immense. We need thousands of offshore turbines in the next decade and beyond – each one as large as the Gherkin. And manufacturing these needs large factories which have to be on the coast. Yet neither the factories nor these large port sites currently exist. And that, understandably, is putting off private investors. So we’re stepping in. To help secure private sector investment in this technology, we’re providing up to £60 million to meet the needs of offshore wind infrastructure at our ports.”
Chris Huhne, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change added: “We might be world leaders in offshore wind but we know there is still more to do. If we want the jobs, manufacturing and skills base for this exciting new industry to be here in the UK, we need to make decisions that attract investment. We need world-class infrastructure to support our economic growth. So today we have made sure that even in the face of such pressure on public finances, we prioritise the areas that will help us dump the deficit.”
