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World’s largest offshore wind & operations centre opens in Grimsby

Energy giant Ørsted is officially opening the recently expanded East Coast Hub at the port in Grimsby today (27th September).

The site, the largest offshore wind operations and maintenance centre in the world, was constructed by local firm Hobson and Porter.  The hub was honoured at the Humber Renewable Awards with the title ‘best renewable energy project or installation’, and recently benefitted from a £10 million investment in its quayside and office facilities.

Darren Ramshaw, Ørsted’s Head of the East Coast Region, said:

We are extremely pleased to be able to show off the fantastic facility we have here in Grimsby.

The town has become a leading light in the development of offshore wind for the country and has really embraced the skills and opportunities that have become available within this exciting sector. With the port’s regeneration also on the horizon, we are excited to be a part of the development and growth in this area.

Four offshore wind farms are directly managed from the East Coast Hub: Westermost Rough, Lincs, Race Bank, and Gunfleet Sands.  The 1.2 GW Hornsea One and 1.4 GW Hornsea Two projects are currently under construction.   They will join the portfolio, becoming the UK’s largest offshore wind farms in 2020 and 2022 respectively.

Together, the six sites are set to contribute clean electricity generation for 3.2 million UK homes, claims Ørsted.

The East Coast Hub is situated on Grimsby’s Royal Dock, in the shadow of the iconic Dock Tower.

Great Grimsby’s MP, Melanie Onn, will unveil a plaque at the site, and has said:

I am so pleased to be opening the newly expanded East Coast Hub for Ørsted. Offshore wind has already boosted our local economy and helped transform our town for the better.

Grimsby is now known as leader in offshore wind technology and I am proud that our town is leading the UK in producing renewable energy.  I look forward to seeing further benefits that this expansion will bring to the Great Grimsby area through employment, training, investment and community project support.

Given Ørsted’s strong environmental interests, it is notable that 83% of the site’s 350 employees live within an hour’s distance of it.

Ørsted is also interested in supporting the local community.  Its East Coast Community Fund has funded 97 projects to date, including the Hornsea Inshore Rescue Lifeboat Project and Hull Children’s University’s social development project for deprived communities, to the tune of £1.1 million.

Image: Ørsted

Mary Vickers moved to North East Lincolnshire in 2010, from the Wiltshire/Hampshire border, to become Urban and Industrial Chaplain NELincs. Made redundant in 2017, she's maintained many of her connections within the business, faith, and other local communities. She's also decided to stay here rather than return to either the south or her husband's native Yorkshire, so that she can continue to enjoy and help promote the positives of NELincs.