Former Haverton Hill shipyard to become renewable energy hub
Sep 28 2010 by Peter McCusker, The Journal, and Karen McLauchlan, Evening Gazette
FUNDING has been secured to create a £20m wind farm manufacturing facility on Teesside, which could create up to 400 jobs.
Billingham-based TAG Energy Solutions has secured the financing required to create the UK’s first offshore windmill tubular foundation manufacturing facility for North Sea wind farms.
TAG Energy Solutions will develop the new facility in the former shipyard at Haverton Hill, Billingham, after securing financial support from international venture capital players Platina Partners and Environmental Technologies Fund (ETF).
The factory will manufacture the structures needed to support the turbines on the sea bed and will complement the one being constructed by Clipper on the banks of the Tyne which will make the turbines.
The initial phase of development will create 100 new jobs for a core workforce and a further 300 jobs to service orders.
David Eason, chairman of TAG Energy Solutions, said: “This is a major step forward in positioning UK manufacturing as a serious player in the creation of offshore wind farms.
“With the support of a robust and experienced supply chain, together with a locally-sourced and highly-regarded skills base, we are perfectly placed to create a world-class manufacturing facility serving the renewable energy sector.
“With direct access to the North Sea through our riverside location, we have a geographical advantage over international competitors.”
