Port says ‘Tyne is Right’ to support offshore wind sector after investment

The Port of Tyne is nearing the final phase of a major investment programme to infill Tyne Dock and increase its commercial property portfolio.

The port is redeveloping land in a move it says will strengthen its position in the offshore wind sector.

With offshore wind tipped to provide as much as 30 per cent of Britain’s electricity generation by 2030, the Port of Tyne says it is perfectly placed to support the growing industry’s needs.

Highlighting the ‘Tyne Is Right’ campaign, Matt Beeton, Port of Tyne chief executive, said its close proximity to the Seagreen wind farm development, off Scotland’s east coast, the wind farm at Hornsea and sites at Sofia and Dogger Bank, means it is well positioned to minimise transit times and service the needs of offshore wind developers.

He said: “The £3 million programme to complete Tyne Dock infill will result in an additional 30 acres of land with deep-sea quayside access to support offshore wind.

“The demolition of a number of buildings means our latest infrastructure programme provides increased storage capacity at Tyne Dock Enterprise Park, which already has excellent multimodal connectivity by sea, road and rail and offers all the benefits of Enterprise Zone status.”

Andrew Hodgson, North East Local Enterprise Partnership chair, said: “Offshore wind is a sector in which the North East has particular strengths.

“Our Strategic Economic Plan identifies offshore wind as an area of strategic importance for the North East, with the potential to create more and better jobs for the region and to build on our already globally important offshore energy and subsea cluster.

“The Government has recognised these strengths, with the North East being selected as one of the geographical clusters of the industry which the sector deal will focus on, and be delivered through, providing support across areas including skills, innovation and infrastructure.”