Mr Clegg was accompanied on the visit by the Leader of Hull City Council, Councillor Carl Minns. Hull City Council fully supports the project which could eventually generate thousands of jobs for the area, providing a much needed boost for the local economy.
During the visit, Mr Clegg met Matt Jukes, ABP’s Port Director Hull and Goole, Dan McGrail, Project Manager UK Offshore, Siemens Wind Power, and other ABP staff, who discussed the proposed development.
Mr Clegg said; “Hull is ideally located to support offshore wind developments and is well placed to become a UK centre of excellence in the developing renewable energy sector. There is huge potential here to create jobs and apprenticeships and help us create the new, green economy Britain needs for the 21st century.”
Matt Jukes, ABP’s Port Director Hull and Goole said: “We took the opportunity to tell the Deputy Prime Minister about our Green Port Hull project as well as a number of other potential renewable energy projects we are currently working on. Green Port Hull presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for Hull to play a leading role in the UK’s green energy revolution.”
He added: “The Green Port Hull scheme, and the jobs it will generate, will significantly contribute to the long term economic prosperity of the Yorkshire and Humber region. It is vital that we are able to work together with both local and national stakeholders in order to deliver the development which will lead to many long term, high quality, manufacturing employment opportunities across our region in the rapidly growing offshore wind sector.”
Dan McGrail, Project Manager at Siemens said: “Siemens has been very encouraged by the overwhelmingly positive response the project has received in Hull. We are working closely together with the Council and local community on the detailed elements of the planning application and are on track with our project schedule. We are very pleased with progress so far and optimistic about the outcome. We would like to thank everyone for their input and contributions to date.”