Navitus Bay Development Ltd, the company behind plans for an offshore windfarm off of The Needles, has today (Monday) officially entered into ‘memoranda of understanding’ with Yarmouth and two other mainland ports, Poole and Portland.
These formal agreements commit the developer to undertaking studies with the ports that will explore how their facilities could be best used in both the construction and operation & maintenance (O&M) phases of the wind park.
Today’s announcement sees Navitus Bay invest £100,000 into feasibility studies. They will assess factors critical to the construction and maintenance of the wind park, such as space available, depth of water and storage facilities and how these can be altered or improved to accommodate Navitus Bay’s requirements.
As part of the agreement, the ports will also keep suitable areas of the sites available for Navitus Bay to use from 2017 onwards.
On the Island, working with Yarmouth Harbour is one of a number of ways that Navitus Bay is showing its commitment to the local economy. The developer is also a key sponsor of the Island’s recently launched Studio School, which is designed to teach young people the skills they need to succeed in marine manufacturing and offshore energy.
Navitus Bay is also exhibiting in May at the Old Gaffers Festival at Yarmouth Harbour, where the developer will explain to local residents and suppliers the significant economic benefits that the wind park could bring to Yarmouth and Isle of Wight.
According to latest independent projections, peak construction years could support a minimum of 1700 jobs, while the O&M base is expected to support around 140 jobs annually, for example skilled technicians to maintain the turbines. The O&M base is expected to provide an economic value to the region of £590 million over the 25 year lifespan of the project.
Mike Unsworth, Project Director at Navitus Bay, said:
“We first shortlisted Poole, Yarmouth and Portland to host the O&M base last year, and we are thrilled to be formalising our commitment to working with all three by signing these MOUs.
“Our ultimate aim is to enter into a contract with one, or a combination, of these three ports that says they will accommodate construction and installation activities and host the O&M base.
“The wind park will have a significant impact on the local economy by creating skilled jobs and opportunities for local businesses to get involved, and Navitus Bay remains committed to making sure these positive benefits are realised.
“If any other local businesses would like to find out about the opportunities the proposed wind park could provide, I would urge them to contact us via our website.”
Andrew Turner, MP for the Isle of Wight, said:
“This project is not without controversy, but this is an important initiative to explore the opportunities for jobs and investment that could come to the Island.
“As well as employment directly linked to the construction, development and maintenance of the site, there could be more jobs arising indirectly due to increased demand for hotel accommodation, pubs, restaurants and other facilities.
“The feasibility study will help to quantify those benefits so that the community can be properly informed. The Old Gaffers is always well attended and I am pleased that Islanders will have an opportunity there to find out more and make their views known directly to the company.”
Chris Lisher, Chief Executive and Harbour Master, Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners, said:
“Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners are delighted to be working with Navitus Bay Development Limited to investigate the opportunity to build and operate an Operations and Maintenance base in Yarmouth and in addition offer some services from the port during the construction phase. This opportunity is extremely important not only to the future of Yarmouth Harbour, but also a wide variety of businesses across the Isle of Wight.
“This could bring in excess of 100 jobs to the area and potentially many more with contractors and suppliers to Navitus Bay, as well as expenditure on the Island of more than £10 million per year for the whole length of the 25 year contract. We will continue to work energetically to win this contract for the benefit of the local community.”
Photographed L-R: Sean Matthews, Project Engineer, Navitus Bay and Chris Lisher, Chief Executive/Harbour Master, Yarmouth Harbour Commissioners
