The North East has achieved an important national lead in the rapidly expanding renewable energy sector.
In a move that brings together a powerful public and private sector consortium the region will be home to the UK’s first wind turbine training tower.
Northumberland College, narec, the Blyth based energy research centre, and Mainstream Renewable Power have announced a collaborative training partnership, backed One NorthEast.
It will see the development and construction of the country’s first wind turbine training tower in Blyth as the next step in the development of a UK Centre for wind technician skills.
The industry estimates that offshore wind will permanently employ thousands of technicians in construction and long-term operations and maintenance jobs over the next 10 years.
The training initiative will be the north east at the forefront to develop the skills to serve the new offshore wind industry and ensure the UK gets the maximum economic benefit.
Commenting on announcement, Assistant Principal of Northumberland College, Paul Cook said: “The training tower and associated infrastructure will allow us to increase the number of technicians that can be trained and enhance our reputation as the leading provider of wind energy skills training in the UK.”
Stephen Wilson, Director of Wind and Marine at narec said: “narec provides the ideal environment for training providers to deliver and develop new courses. These equip personnel for work offshore and the tower is the first piece of the jigsaw to enable industry to achieve our challenging targets for new generation.”
narec is an internationally recognised, independent R&D, testing and verification centre for energy technologies and the UK hub for the development of the offshore wind industry. It is currently working on proposals to expand on its current 70m blade test facility in Blyth, Northumberland. The new campus will offer the world’s largest blade and drive train testing facilities.
The private sector interest in the training initiative comes from Mainstream Renewable Power that develops, constructs and operates renewable energy plants. The company employs over 100 people across seven countries and four continents.
Chris Hill, Head of Offshore at Mainstream Renewable Power said: “Mainstream is fully committed to increasing the quality and quantity of skilled personnel qualified to work offshore and to drive the offshore wind sector. This partnership is fundamental to closing the skills gap, not just for Round 3 wind farms, but for the wider European sector.”
