Port of Tyne welcomed the Rt Hon Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy today. The Minister took a tour around the Port’s estate to view several sites earmarked for green energy development and discuss progress on the Port’s award-winning clean energy roadmap, part of its ambitious ‘Tyne 2050’ strategy.
Tyne Clean Energy Park offers a high degree of flexibility for the offshore wind supply chain and, during her visit, the Minister was able to see the preparatory works underway for the Park’s first tenant, Equinor, who are building the operations and maintenance base for the world’s largest offshore windfarm – Dogger Bank, a joint venture between Equinor, SSE Renewables and Eni.
The Minister also met with the Port’s CEO, Matt Beeton, and Chair, Lucy Armstrong, to discuss the huge commercial opportunity presented by the offshore wind sector to level up the region and support national economic growth. As part of its Tyne 2050 strategy, the Port also committed to being carbon neutral by 2030 and, just two years later, carbon emissions have already been cut by some 27%.
Matt Beeton, Chief Executive Officer at the Port of Tyne said: “We were delighted to welcome the Minister to the Port and give her the opportunity to view all the developments where we’re re-deploying land and resources for the clean energy sector. As one of only two deep sea ports in the region, we understand the critical role we play in the country’s renewables strategy. We’re already at the centre of this transition as we transform the Port to become the UK’s most versatile location for the renewables sector.”
Energy & Climate Change Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan said: “Our world-leading offshore wind sector is delivering huge potential for the UK to grow our manufacturing base and I’m delighted to see first-hand how the North East is grasping the opportunities that are being presented.
“This region has a rich industrial heritage and the Port of Tyne is tapping into that wealth of history and experience. They are revitalising one of our key industrial heartlands by creating and safeguarding skilled jobs as we level up and build back greener from the pandemic.”
