Jobs created thanks to offshore wind production boom

More than 440 jobs are being created and safeguarded across the North East of England, thanks to £130m of government and private investment.

Offshore wind cabling manufacturer JDR Cable Systems Ltd is receiving funding from the government’s £160m Offshore Wind Manufacturing Investment Support scheme, which together with private investment will see £130m invested in facilities to build and develop components for next-generation wind turbines.

The investment is being used to build a new factory in Cambois, near Blyth, and protect jobs at its existing facility in Hartlepool, boosting local economies in the North East.

Business and energy secretary, Kwasi Kwarteng, said: ‘The UK’s offshore wind sector is a major industrial success story, but we need to ensure local workers and manufacturers fully reap the economic benefits of this booming industry.

‘This major investment is a perfect example of how our transition to a low carbon economy can attract new industries, create jobs, reduce our reliance on unreliable fossil fuels and generate export opportunities as we build back greener from the pandemic.’

Tomasz Nowak, CEO at JDR, added: ‘As the energy transition gathers pace and the UK’s offshore wind sector continues to thrive, turbines are growing taller and farther from shore, calling for higher voltage subsea cables. We’re delighted to build on our legacy as a leading provider of subsea cables to the offshore energy sector by investing in this new facility.

‘We’re also delighted to continue our investment in the North East of England, and in bringing new jobs to Cambois, Blyth and Northumberland. Our proposed facility is strategically located to capitalise on the rapidly growing and largest offshore renewable energy market in Europe.’

In related news, over 1,340 jobs are expected to be created and protected across the Humber region as a result of UK government and private sector investment in wind turbines.

Photo by Waldemar Brandt