Locate in Kent will be represented at two international wind energy events this November, promoting the county’s burgeoning offshore supply chain.
Representatives of Locate in Kent will be at RenewableUK 2013 in Birmingham from November 5-7 and Offshore 2013 in Frankfurt from November 19-21, where they will be highlighting Kent’s position as one of six UK national Centres for Offshore Renewable Engineering (COREs) – a partnership with the Government to support business growth and showcase opportunities for foreign direct investment (FDI) for the offshore wind sector.
Peter Symons, Director of Business Development and lead on the renewable energy sector for Locate in Kent, said: “Attending these two high profile and important events is part of our continuing work to promote the Kent CORE and the benefits available to any company from the industry seeking to invest in Kent and Medway.”
The Kent CORE incorporates established Operations and Maintenance centres at Ramsgate and Whitstable, as well as 303 hectares of manufacturing capacity within Medway, which includes two deep-water ports at Sheerness and London Thamesport.
At the Port of Sheerness there is a 50 hectare site that already has planning permission for an integrated turbine manufacture and assembly plant, which could create up to 2,000 new jobs, and demonstrates Kent’s capability to accommodate the industry.
The county’s role received international coverage earlier this year when Prime Minister David Cameron travelled to Margate to officially open London Array, the world’s largest offshore wind farm, 12 miles off the coast of Thanet.
It was further boosted by the launch of the Government’s Offshore Wind strategy, which earmarked Regional Growth Fund money and other financial support for companies within the sector.
“Over and above that specific support, Kent has a great proposition with Expansion East Kent and TIGER funding schemes,” added Peter. “Those are the messages we are taking to RenewableUK 2013 and Offshore 2013 and which we are sure will generate even more interest in the county from the sector.”