Manufacturing jobs and investment in the wind

During a visit to Gateshead and Northumberland, energy minister Malcolm Wicks said around 3000 extra offshore wind turbines would be needed to help the UK towards meeting its proposed EU target of 15% of total energy being generated from renewable sources by 2020. "The North East already has a wealth of skills and experience in the manufacturing sector to diversify in to the green energy market. The region is a pioneer in offshore wind,” he went on. It's estimated around 3000 extra offshore wind turbines will be needed to help the UK towards meeting its proposed EU target of 15% of total energy being generated from renewable sources by 2020. The minister said Californian energy giant Clipper Wind had already been attracted to invest at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) at Blyth, which was emerging as one of the leading centres in the world for introducing new renewable technologies to the market, particularly offshore wind. The building and equipment at NaREC where Clipper Wind plans to develop the world's largest wind turbine, almost ten times taller than the 'Angel of the North' (pictured) was being unveiled today. “The New and Renewable Energy Centre is setting a fantastic example and I hope many other manufacturing companies will recognise the opportunities a shift to a low carbon economy will create,” said Wicks. "Offshore wind will play a significant role in helping us meet our challenging targets for a massive increase in the amount of energy generated from renewables. With our plans to increase the financial support for offshore wind, it is further evidence of our commitment to make the UK one of the most attractive places to invest in green energy." Margaret Fay, Chairman of the regional development agency One NorthEast said the opening of the Centre was the first stage in the creation of what she believed would be thousands of new jobs in manufacturing.