Renewingthehumber31mar16 by Grimsby Telegraph

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renewing the humber Charting a maturing industry’s growth spurt F

IVE offshore wind farms built and now operating, several more at various stages of development, and now a long term policy framework that those working between industry and Government believe gives the conﬁdence required to launch a pipeline of projects well into the next decade.

The vision set out for the Humber is becoming an ever-growing reality as the green revolution plays out on our doorstep. In the two years since this sector-focused publication was last printed, Dong Energy’s Westermost Rough and E.on’s Humber Gateway have gone from construction to full operation, providing a further 439MW of electricitygenerating capacity and almost doubling the initial 464MW installed by Centrica with Lynn, Inner Dowsing and Lincs farms. In total, 108 turbines adding to the 129 already spinning in the southern North Sea, operated and maintained from Grimsby. Dong, E.on and elements of the supply chain have also invested significantly in Port of Grimsby, bringing more than 150 direct, long term jobs with them, adding to the 120 plus already created from the first three installations. Then there are the countless firms adding offshore wind to the different industries they serve, be it marine, engineering, catering or leisure. Entering construction now is Race Bank, again from Dong, a wind farm that will eclipse those already built, with 91 turbines offering a capacity of 580MW to the National Grid. Awaiting final consents this summer for the onshore electricity infrastructure and Triton Knoll pushes the scale further up the chart again, to 900MW, and – interestingly for the local, national and international supply chain – a new operator in the mix in the partnership between RWE Innogy and Statkraft. The size is equivalent to everything currently built out of the Humber, on one wind farm. It will support an estimated 325 direct jobs, with Grimsby seen as the potential base to operate and maintain up to 288 turbines from, depending on which technology is chosen. Further out on the horizon is Hornsea, the first of the Round Three projects. Again another leap in scale. Dong, who last year acquired the whole development from the initial consortium, has committed to build phase one, a 1.2GW wind farm. It is anticipated to be commissioned in 2020, with around 174 turbines required to power more than one million homes. By the end of 2020, 790 turbines could be controlled out of Grimsby, and it doesn’t stop there. A Development Consent Order for the Hornsea second phase, with total generation capacity of up to 1,800MW, is anticipated from

the Energy Secretary in June, with Dong having also recently reached an agreement with The Crown Estate to reconfigure further stages, marking out four separate projects in all. North east of these and Dogger Bank, brought forward by Forewind consortium – made up of RWE SSE, Statkraft and Statoil, offers a 4.8GW opportunity, split into four separate projects. The next 12 months should see operators for the first two elements, Dogger Bank Creyke Beck A & B, announced. Approved in February last year, they would then move to pre-construction, with priorities such as stakeholder engagement, the refining of wind farm design and commercial agreements with the supply chain at the fore. Again, development should begin by March 2020 on what represents a £1.5 billion boost to the UK economy, supporting 4,750 jobs. More than 130km from the North Yorkshire coast there is no indication yet as to where it could be based. Teesside A & B will follow, consented in August, completing the zone, with the figures repeated again. This time it is more than 165km off the coast. So far, all those developed off Yorkshire and Lincolnshire have come to Grimsby for operations and maintenance. Having revitalised Port of Grimsby East, with improvements and new services continuing to be added, the operational bases are now widening to take in Grimsby’s Royal Dock too, with Westermost Rough the first and Race Bank following. That physical infrastructure is now stretching to Humberside Airport as well, with Westermost also the first to have a designated helicopter. As the technology gets larger, and more efficient, the way they are accessed is changing. Bigger vessels, air support, and – potentially – a shift to an oil and gas offshore work pattern. This would see teams stationed in the field during planned maintenance projects, as what is now a 90 minute sail gets longer, reducing the time to work a day visit would offer. Already, no doubt with a key focus on the numbers coming out of the three key Grimsby bases and an eye on maturing technology, the industry has become increasingly attractive to the City. The risk profile barrier appears to have been breached, and with mechanisms such as Green Investment Bank there too, the institutions managing funds are putting the money in, from Japan to the US. The wind farm windfall has certainly arrived, and opportunities are here for the taking.

GLIMPSE into the long term offshore wind plans for the global industry leader in Grimsby has been revealed. As this 20-page publication has been brought together, Dong Energy was granted planning consent to expand operations and maintenance facilities at the Royal Dock. Already serving Westermost Rough, the company now has permission to add a two-storey extension to the £3.7 million building, as a temporary measure to support Race Bank. It is a critical part in an emerging development jigsaw, with permanent plans to handle the needs of the 580MW offshore wind farm also being worked up for the port estate, which will potentially include space for further projects. The move, following an announcement of the decision to base it in Grimsby last summer, was welcomed by leader of North East Lincolnshire Council, Ray Oxby. He said: “This is great news. We have a very strong working partnership with Dong Energy and this cements it further. It is really reassuring to see as we are getting to a critical mass where Grimsby is a mainstay in the operations. “It can only be good news for the future, especially with the Hornsea programme coming forward. “This demonstrates the real potential to grow even further the renewable sector, with jobs across the supply chain.”

Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom ofﬁcially opens E.on’s Humber Gateway offshore wind farm.

Lord Haskins, chairman of Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, presses the button to inaugurate Dong Energy’s Westermost Rough offshore wind farm. Main picture: Westermost Rough offshore wind farm. Councillor Ray Oxby, leader of North East Lincolnshire Council

renewing the humber Charting a maturing industry’s growth spurt F

Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom ofﬁcially opens E.on’s Humber Gateway offshore wind farm.

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renewing the humber A

Our guide to who’s doing what and where

DECADE of gradual transformation at the Humber’s ﬁrst port of call is nearly upon us.

Westermost Rough: A 35-turbine farm, off the East Yorkshire coast, featuring Siemens’ 6MW turbines, with a 210MW capacity. Turbines have a 154m rotation span and a 177m total height to blade tip. Operated by Dong Energy from Royal Dock, it owns 50 per cent with the balance split between Marubeni Corporation and Green Investment Bank. It hit full power in May 2015 and was ofﬁcially inaugurated by Lord Chris Haskins, chairman of Humber Local Enterprise Partnership, in July.

Next year marks 10 years since an initial agreement was forged between Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises and Centrica, the ﬁrst of the wind farm operators to build off the region’s coastline. What began as a single steel jetty investment has created a thriving hub, rebranded as Port of Grimsby East, and now home to several multi-million pound bases for blue-chip operators.The investment has spread to Royal Dock too, seen at the top of the image, with further investment in new facilities and infrastructure, with just last week, Dong Energy receving planning consent to expand operations there. Between the two locked docks, Associated British Ports is about to build a new marine control centre to coordinate vessel movements. Here is our guide to who is doing what from where, with several contractors, original equipment manufacturers and support services also now located in facilities on the port estate.

Lynn & Inner Dowsing: Identical farms, with combined 194MW capacity achieved from 54 Siemens 3.6MW turbines. Built in 2007 and 2008, just off Skegness, they were the ﬁrst developments out of Grimsby. Turbines have a 104m rotation span and a 134m total height to blade tip. Operated by Centrica, from Grimsby’s North Quay, it was sold to Green Investment Bank and BlackRock in February 2016. Operations and maintenance continues to be controlled by Centrica until March 2017, with Engie Fabricom also now a provider of services.

Race Bank:

Humber Gateway:

Lincs:

Entering the construction now. At 580MW the largest wind farm yet, with 91 Siemens 6MW turbines, 17 miles off the Lincolnshire coast at Chapel St Leonards. Owned by Dong Energy, it is scheduled for completion in 2018. Construction is being managed from the Service Quay base, previously used for Westermost Rough. Last week planning consent received for expansion of Royal Dock site to accommodate Race Bank O&M.

Just north of the mouth of the Humber, the £800 million project features 73 MHI Vestas 3MW turbines, with a 219MW capacity. With a height of 136m, rotation span is 112m. Operated and wholly owned by E.on from North Quay, it was launched last August by Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom, having hit full power in May.

Located immediately behind Lynn & Inner Dowsing, a 75 turbine farm, again using the Siemens 3.6MW model. Completed in summer 2013, with 270MW capacity, it is operated by Centrica, with Dong Energy and Siemens Project Ventures both holding 25 per cent. It is operated from North Quay, and was opened by then Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in August 2013.

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

renewing the humber A

Our guide to who’s doing what and where

DECADE of gradual transformation at the Humber’s ﬁrst port of call is nearly upon us.

Race Bank:

Humber Gateway:

Lincs:

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Dong gears up for Race G

RIMSBY’S next offshore wind farm, Race Bank, is about to launch into full-on construction, as cabling and initial foundations are installed on the biggest project yet out of the Humber. The 91-turbine development from Dong Energy is being co-ordinated from the same facilities the Danish giant successfully delivered Westermost Rough from last year. And while the team in the Port of Grimsby East base is of a similar size, with around half staying on, the project capacity they are working on is nearly triple.

Overseeing the entire 580MW project is Jason Ledden, having stepped up from a deputy role on the 210MW Westermost Rough, where the 35 turbines are now generating, to lead what will ramp up to a 50-strong workforce on the Service Quay. Mr Ledden has been with Dong Energy for 14 years, and prides himself on having worked “from the bottom up”, quite literally. He began as a commercial diver on cable installation, then moved through management roles at London Array, before arriving in Grimsby. Now taking on his ﬁrst project as the overall manager, he said: “Every day is a challenge, there is something new to learn, and Dong is a good company to work for. There is a lot of support, and there is also a lot of support from the team around me. There is a project manager, but the project is delivered by a team, and we are all very committed.” A key change, which comes with the scale and distance, is one around logistics. Once the ﬁrst substation is installed this summer, a dedicated accommodation jack-up vessel will arrive at the site – 17 miles off Chapel St Leonards on the Lincolnshire coast – chartered to allow engineers, technicians and project managers to stay out for prolonged periods. Moving elements closer to the oil and gas model, it will provide a huge productivity boost, with those on the substation able to walk to work via a bridge, and others transferring to a vessel as they would from the turbines they will be assigned to work on.

K chairman for Dong Energy, Brent Cheshire, looks back on an eventful 12 months.

Brent Cheshire, UK chairman, Dong Energy

“It has been another landmark year for Dong Energy in the UK. We have celebrated the inauguration of our eighth UK offshore wind farm, Westermost Rough, a world pioneering project, which has taken our UK installed capacity to over 2GW, providing enough green electricity to power almost two million UK homes

“We have looked at the logistical concept differently,” Mr Ledden said. “Rather than daily transfer as we did for Westermost Rough, which was manageable with two hours sailing, for Race Bank we are looking at five to six hours.” Between 30 and 40 people are required to install a substation over a three or four month period, and at the height of the build out up to 100 people could be accommodated offshore. Race Bank features two substations, array cables linking all the structures, and then the 91 turbines too, from foundation to transition piece, tower, nacelle and blades, then the commissioning of each one, all under Mr Ledden’s watch with package managers liaising with key contractors. “While it would be considered a nearer shore development, we are now developing methods and technologies to look at further offshore,” Mr Ledden said, with the Round Three Hornsea phases coming next for Dong. “Westermost was specifically chosen as a small site near shore with known foundations but a new generator. It is a commercial operation, but now we are taking that same generator out and upping the scale.” A couple of new positions have been created to manage the logistical change and ongoing requirements it brings. Race Bank is a project first brought forward by Centrica, then purchased by Dong with consents in place in December 2013. The final investment decision was announced in July, annually. “At Dong Energy we believe that green energy must become cheaper than black energy within the next decade. We are working hard to build green, reliable and efficient energy systems in the markets where we operate. “Since 2004, we have invested over £6 billion in the UK through expansion of our offshore wind portfolio, continued development of our oil and gas activities in the West of Shetland region and introduced new flexibility

Members of the construction management team for the Dong Energy Race Bank Construction Site, pictured with construction project manager,Jason Ledden, right, at their base on Port of Grimsby East.

with Grimsby’s role as the base port conﬁrmed as Westermost Rough was inaugurated the following week. “The decision was taken to set out on another construction phase from Grimsby, and we were happy to do so,” said Mr Ledden. “Grimsby has got so much to offer from a logistical point of view. We are well placed for getting offshore, even if it is a little further now, and there is a great wealth of experience in the area, which is increasing. A lot of the members of the team are now from the local area, and that is increasing too. It is a good place to live and work because of the positivity about the industry and what it is delivering for the area. I have worked in lots of other areas, and here it is great.” Work began in November. “Since then it has been very, very heavy on the planning, up to and over Christmas period, then early this year our ﬁrst big

campaign was the unexploded ordnance dispersal, where we carried out 36 sympathetic explosions on 39 pieces of ordnance,” he said. This included a World War Two magnetic mine, still in “perfect operating condition,” which caused quite a splash when it was safely detonated. “Since then we have carried on with the boulder removal programme (from the seabed), the work ready for the laying of the export cables and foundation installation,” Mr Ledden said. “We are very soon to start on the export cable installation in The Wash.” Two special machines have been developed by the contractor to protect the eight kilometres of part tidal salt marsh it will cut through to trench and lay the world’s longest export cables, two 35km lines to bring the electricity ashore. “It is being done through a very solutions for our business customers. As a company, we are working hard to reduce the cost of electricity from offshore wind by driving down costs at every stage of the process. “At the same time, we are helping to develop a sustainable UK supply chain, through employing local ﬁrms and working with our suppliers to invest in new UK facilities, such as MHI Vestas’ blade facility on the Isle of Wight, Siemens’ Green Port Hull facility and Offshore Structures Britain (OSB) in Teesside, which will supply

challenging area, and there has been a lot of focus on working with the government agencies and environmental bodies,” Mr Ledden said. “We have got to take great care where we have been.” As that slowly snakes its way out to the farm, ﬁrst onshore from Walpole, via Sutton Bridge, the ﬁrst substation will be installed - currently being built by Cofely Fabricom in Belgium – ahead of the 91 foundations for the next generation 6MW turbines. Completion is anticipated in 2018. There is also another important addition to the team. Helen Mary is a 27m multi-purpose vessel, offering guard patrol, diving support, supply and service. For the duration of the project she will be a critical link between Grimsby and site. “We are using one vessel when we could have used several different ones. We are focused on how we work, and fuel-wise this is better for the

some of the components for our Burbo Bank Extension and Walney Extension projects. “The UK is a key market for Dong Energy and our decision to take forward a further three offshore wind projects (Hornsea Project One, Race Bank and Walney Extension), in addition to our acquisition of the whole of the Hornsea offshore zone earlier this year, highlights our long-term commitment to 2020 and beyond.”

environment, having less vessels out in the ﬁeld makes it safer, and there is the cost element too, and offshore development is always about cost.”

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renewing the humber

Dong gears up for Race G

K chairman for Dong Energy, Brent Cheshire, looks back on an eventful 12 months.

Brent Cheshire, UK chairman, Dong Energy

Members of the construction management team for the Dong Energy Race Bank Construction Site, pictured with construction project manager,Jason Ledden, right, at their base on Port of Grimsby East.

environment, having less vessels out in the ﬁeld makes it safer, and there is the cost element too, and offshore development is always about cost.”

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renewing the humber Roger Smith

FFSHORE wind is blowing new life into the business community of northern Lincolnshire.

Chairman of Grimsby Renewables Partnership, Roger Smith, heads up an organisation closing in on 100 paidup members, providing the conduit between those delivering the multibillion pound projects, and those who may supply a single service. The marine operations manager at Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises is part of the original team that launched the group back in 2008. Having initially fostered relationships with key stakeholders to make a collective voice for the town, attention has turned towards helping those not familiar with the industry to gain access, or an understanding at least. Mr Smith said: “Since it started eight years ago Grimsby Renewables Partnership has been put on a more professional footing, though its philosophy has always stayed the same. We are trying to give as many local companies the opportunity to do business with some of the large utility companies. “We started off on a casual basis

“We have got a willing workforce, and quality companies are coming to the area.“

with monthly meetings on a relaxed environment, moving to professional networking events, having up to 80 to 100 people attend regularly, giving them the opportunity to hear what is happening from key speakers. “The ultimate goal is that larger companies will have the opportunity to reduce costs significantly by meeting and creating synergies with local businesses.” Last summer saw an inaugural conference, with more than 250 people attending at Grimsby Town Hall, and the formal membership offering unveiled. It will be repeated this summer, with businesses who have benefited to give case studies about their journey. “This is about how we can encourage people to get involved in this industry,” said Mr Smith. “It is not about the big players, the port operators, the utility companies, it is about the one-man bands, the small businesses that may just fill a niche. “We have already seen sandwich makers, engineers, riggers, hotels and cafes all benefit. The development of Cleethorpes over the past few years, the significant increase in hotel groups

All NRG launch in Grimsby in May last year.

A ﬁrst dive mobilisation from the new Grimsby base is undertaken by Reds, to the Lincs, Lynn and Inner Dowsing offshore wind farms, last August.

investing and coming into the area, that in no small amount, is due to the offshore wind industry. “We are now getting opportunities with skills through Two CWind vessels are penned in the Port of Grimsby East lock during a project. colleges and universities. We have Modal coming – in tandem with the area’s economic to Immingham, development offer – plays a key role in the UTC at Scunthorpe, which is a attracting investment. superb opportunity for children from Behind the headline arrivals of the 14 to get on an engineering pathway to likes of Dong, Siemens, E.on, Vestas and benefit all local businesses. It is a great Centrica are a plethora of supporting environment to be in.” operators in the supply chain. While small businesses may be the Colchester-based CWind has recently benefactors, GRP has to stay tuned in won the maintenance contract for the to the strategic approach the area is electrical transmission facilities at taking. North East Lincolnshire Council Westermost Rough, and has its only is a key partner, along with crucial other UK office in Grimsby. Specialist private sector representation. diving operation Reds is also now “We have got 80 to 100 members located in the town, having invested and I would be looking at increasing £250,000 in an offshore support base that by 50 per cent in the next year,” on South Humberside Industrial Estate. Mr Smith said. “It will only grow with Training specialist AIS, the development of the industry. At the headquartered in North Shields, moment we have been talking about continues discussions about the large Round One and Round Two, which has scale ‘phase two’ development at HCF been significant in the port, but there Catch at Stallingborough, with a survival is a lot more to come further down the pool the centre-piece of a £4 million river, for the likes of Able, and that will plan, following initial investment in have a knock-on effect for Grimsby as working at height training featuring well. mock nacelles. “We also have Triton Knoll, and All NRG is a Danish offshore wind while not decided, we would hope energy service provider, having opened Grimsby is considered as a potential its first UK office in Grimsby last opportunity. summer, as it sets out on a plan to “We have investment in the create 75 to 100 jobs over the next three slipways which gives boat owners the years. opportunity to get immediate repairs Mr Smith said: “We have got done and a quicker turnaround in order a willing workforce, and quality to get back in the field to reduce the companies are coming to the area. amount of lost time, also using local The likes of AIS, Reds, All NRG and engineers and suppliers to serve that. CWind, they are all here now, and we “Race Bank is already starting to certainly see further opportunities for ramp up, and we will see a lot of activity local businesses to expand and more in Grimsby for that project.” businesses to see the opportunity and With strong representation at locate to the area.” conferences and exhibitions, the group

Atlas Professionals is recruiting for Dong Energy in Grimsby

TLAS Professionals is an international recruitment company that offers a complete range of specialist recruitment & HR services for the offshore, energy and marine industries. Since 1982, Atlas has been a major player in the provision of professionals to the offshore industry; working in 15 specialist business lines throughout our global network of 20 ofﬁces.

The Hornsea Project

For the next ﬁve years, Atlas is supporting Dong Energy for the provision of temporary staff for all UK and German offshore wind farms including the Hornsea Project One. The Hornsea zone is located 190km off the Yorkshire coast and will become the world’s largest offshore wind farm, providing one million UK homes with Renewable Energy by 2020.

Who we are looking for

In preparation for the project, Atlas will be holding a recruitment day at Grimsby Institute of Further and Higher Education based in Grimsby. We are interested in speaking to local people who are looking for new employment opportunities in their local area.

Want to get your foot in the door?

Have you ever wanted to work in renewable energy? But don’t have the necessary experience, no matter. In addition to experienced personnel, Dong Energy is also interested in taking on apprentices to join the Hornsea project.

We have a wide variety of positions available for this project including but not limited to: • Cable Installation/ Export Cable Manager • Client Representatives • Commissioning Managers • Diving Coordinators • Document Controllers • Electrical Supervisors • Foundations • Geophysical/ Geotechnical Engineers • Site Technicians • WTG Engineer • GIS Engineers • QHSE Professionals • Marine Coordinators • On/Offshore Site Managers • Project Planners • Project Managers • Record Managers • SAP • SCADA Specialists • Site Secretaries

Get in Contact

If you are interested in working for Atlas and Dong Energy on this fantastic opportunity come and visit us on 25th April at the Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, Nuns Corner, Grimsby DN34 5BQ. For more information about our recruitment day please visit our website: www.atlasprofessionals.com, where you will also be able to apply for the Hornsea project directly.

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

renewing the humber Roger Smith

FFSHORE wind is blowing new life into the business community of northern Lincolnshire.

“We have got a willing workforce, and quality companies are coming to the area.“

All NRG launch in Grimsby in May last year.

A ﬁrst dive mobilisation from the new Grimsby base is undertaken by Reds, to the Lincs, Lynn and Inner Dowsing offshore wind farms, last August.

Atlas Professionals is recruiting for Dong Energy in Grimsby

The Hornsea Project

Who we are looking for

Want to get your foot in the door?

Get in Contact

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renewing the humber

World-class logistics training in the Humber T HERE’S never been a better time to invest in the Humber region, with the Government’s 2016 Spring Budget promising more funds to build the Northern Powerhouse. In his recent speech, the Chancellor George Osborne reafﬁrmed his plans to “rebalance the economy” by building new high speed road and rail links in the North of England.

Serious skills shortage in logistics

This continued investment in the North is positive news for the long-term economic future of the Humber region. But in order to achieve its full potential, a skilled workforce is needed to make sure that this growth continues. L ogistics plays a key role in the Humber, connecting businesses in the region with the rest of the UK and beyond, via road, rail, air and sea. The UK logistics industry is worth over £90 billion and employs over 2 million people around the country, according to the Ofﬁce for National Statistics. The industry is growing rapidly, and another 1.2 million workers will be needed in logistics by 2022 according to the UK Commission for Employment and Skills report on ‘Understanding skills and performance challenges in the logistics sector’.

Investment in worldclass simulator training

In order to realise the region’s ideal position for growth in the ports, energy and logistics sectors, the Grimsby Institute and the Humber LEP have joined forces to create a new specialised training initiative to ensure that businesses operating these areas have access to the learning support they need. Modal Training will be the ﬁrst in the UK to offer integrated, multimodal logistics training, as well as a full range of support services. Located in Immingham, the new £7 million centre of excellence will be housed in a 5,696 m2 bespoke designed facility, equipped with state-of-the-art simulators for training maritime crew, truck and crane drivers. The ﬁrst phase of work is currently underway and will include a learning resource centre, complete with

ICT suite, classrooms and seminar and conference facilities, followed by the installation of simulators, as well as a live rail track centre. It will also include warehouse operational training and working at height training to support the renewables and energy sectors in the region. Modal Training has recently made its ﬁrst investment in simulation – a full suite of advanced ship, offshore vessel, engine room and radar simulators from Kongsberg Maritime, the global leader in marine training technology. The simulators will enable Modal to offer training that effectively replicates the working environment for a wide range of maritime roles, including bridge crews, navigators, maritime engineers and Vessel Trafﬁc Service (VTS) operators. Each part of the simulator system can be operated independently, or be interconnected to provide full vessel operation exercises for an entire crew.

Industry-leading expertise

The idea behind Modal Training is to provide training of the absolute highest quality to businesses across the logistics supply chain. Not only does there have to be investment in advanced equipment and facilities to achieve this, but also a solid, knowledgeable team to develop and deliver these courses – through in-house staff, as well as training provider partnerships. Modal Training is currently designing and creating courses and workshops for freight forwarding in the logistics industry. This includes workshops that are speciﬁc to the HMRC AEO accreditation application process, which businesses can take advantage of from May 2016, when changes in EU customs rules come into force. Visit www.modaltraining.co.uk

Modal Training left to right Sam Whitaker and Patrick Henry

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renewing the humber

Serious skills shortage in logistics

Investment in worldclass simulator training

Industry-leading expertise

Modal Training left to right Sam Whitaker and Patrick Henry

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renewing the humber

Giving ‘em the slip Martyn Boyers, right, with Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Cliff Barber, at the recent 20th anniversary celebrations for Grimsby Fish Market. They stand in front of a wall full of coverage from the Grimsby Telegraph about GFDE developments.

Skills honed on the Humber

HE Humber has been renewing itself for more than 40 years, from the completion of the Humber Bridge to replace the old New Holland ferry to the exciting and welcome investment projects linked to the growing renewables industry. A constant throughout this

time has been Humber Work Boats. The marine and dredging contractor has an established facility on the South Bank, and has been involved in many of the major capital and maintenance projects, while now working on core elements of the estuary’s future too.

A Wise boatlift like the one to be installed in Grimsby.

SIGNIFICANT investment in vital vessel repair facilities is taking shape in Grimsby, with work progressing well.

A £1.8 million project to completely overhaul the town’s slipways will see a 200 tonne boat hoist installed in the coming months. It means not only will Grimsby be a hub for offshore operations and maintenance, but it will also be able to cater admirably for the vessels used in the process. At 17m high and more than 11m wide, it will be able to handle almost every vessel that enters Port of Grimsby East, and is currently under construction in West Yorkshire. Specialist Wise Handling, of Bradford, is ahead of schedule, and a new company has been launched by Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises – Grimsby Shipyard Services Ltd - in order to market the niche facility to the town’s

burgeoning offshore industry. Martyn Boyers, chief executive of GFDE, said: “The project is progressing very well. Everything is on track at the moment for the development. “The work to build the runways that will take the hoist out – the ﬁnger jetties – has started. The demolition around the existing site has been completed and off-site the work to build the piles is all taking place. “The hoist itself is ahead of schedule being built. Wise is experienced in doing the ship lifts all over the country.” The project is being match-funded through the Growing the Humber Regional Growth Fund pot, which is administered by the local authority. Mr Boyers said: “It is being supported by North East Lincolnshire Council, and we are very pleased with the support we are getting.” The main contractor is HerboscheKiere, with sub-contractor CLS of Brigg, with the team delighted to have local as well as wider regional input.

Of the new name, Mr Boyers said: “It is more of a brand. We have Port of Grimsby East, we have Grimsby Shipyard Services and we have Grimsby Fish Market, all controlled by Grimsby Fish Dock Enterprises. “It is optimistic and a leap of faith for offshore renewables. The main business coming in to the port is going to be renewables, that’s where we see the trade, but at the same time we can maintain the services provided for ﬁshing vessels. While nothing like it once was, ﬁshing is still very important to us, and having the ability to get a boat out of the water is a big asset.” While offshore activity is currently

ﬂat, it will ramp up with Race Bank this summer, as well as the scheduled maintenance projects conducted on operational farms. The ‘slips’ will see two 80m runways extend out from the quayside, with the giant marine hoist and travel lift using them as a track. Vessels can then be brought onto the strengthened quay, allowing multiple craft to be worked on at once, as opposed to the previous single position. Several buildings and existing plinths and rails have been demolished, with new workshop, ofﬁces, welfare and storage facilities to complement the specialist infrastructure.

Grimsby slipways prior to the demolition work beginning. Picture: Google Maps.

That extensive experience and capability is now being brought to the fore in an industry where a decade is a lifetime of knowledge for many. David Symon, managing director at the North Killingholme Haven base, said: “Humber Work Boats has been

involved in most of the prestigious marine construction projects in the past 40 years in one way or another, from building and repairing jetties and dolphins to stabilising the gas pipeline under the river. The company has undertaken thousands of marine projects on the Humber. Recently we have had considerable involvement in completing piling and dredging contracts for the main contractor for the Siemens facility at Alexandra Dock

Kim Harrop, left, contracts director, and David Symon, managing director.

in Green Port Hull and construction of berthing facilities for Dong Energy in Grimsby. “With a unique portfolio of marine plant, Humber Work Boats has a variety of marine construction solutions to offer, based on the well-honed skills of the experienced workforce.” The well maintained ﬂeet includes medium and heavy lift crane barges, multi-cats, workboats, ﬂat top barges, and dredgers. “Marine projects demand the skills and experience the company has to offer,” Mr Symon said. The company’s customer base comprises most of the major operators on both the North and South Banks of the Humber, stretching up to Goole and beyond, with extensive international operating expertise too. Clients close to home include Associated British Ports, C.Ro Ports, Associated Petroleum Ltd, and Conoco Plc.

Mr Symon added: “With the addition of exciting new developments with Siemens at Green Port Hull and Able UK on the South Bank, business opportunities for the company and local businesses look bright.”

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

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Skills honed on the Humber

A Wise boatlift like the one to be installed in Grimsby.

SIGNIFICANT investment in vital vessel repair facilities is taking shape in Grimsby, with work progressing well.

Grimsby slipways prior to the demolition work beginning. Picture: Google Maps.

Kim Harrop, left, contracts director, and David Symon, managing director.

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Marine and Dredging Contractors

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Positive about prospects as pressure mounts H

While the path has now been cleared for development for more than a year, and privately Able UK is doing all it can to entice operators to the “big space in the right place,” political pressure continues to be applied in its name.

There is a clear agenda to ensure the suggested 50 per cent local content required from international developers equates to signiﬁcant job creation in UK manufacturing. Grimsby’s role as the operations and maintenance hub for the east coast wind farms has been carved out, but despite a Memorandum of Understanding materialising between leading developer Dong Energy and Able last summer, there has been a perceived lack of progress in certain quarters of the estuary’s offer. On the ground the site has been primed, with utilities, ground raising

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and strengthening undertaken, but we still await a taker for any of the 900 acres leading to 1,300m of proposed deep-water quays to be declared. Last month Martin Vickers, the Cleethorpes and Immingham MP who has AMEP in his constituency, launched a debate in Westminster, calling on commitment to creating the estimated 4,000 jobs, labelling it “payback time,” for subsidies awarded. A strategic review conducted between industry and government was the outcome, but with an initial operations date of 2018 mooted for the

North Killingholme super-site, and the likes of the Hornsea projects moving ever closer, time is of the essence. It is time, and cost that AMEP seeks to help drive down. Sailing times and the individual lifts and moves of individual parts of a turbine installation have been demonstrated to be reduced signiﬁcantly if clustered, Last week, before the House closed for Easter, Mr Vickers was on his feet again, addressing Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom on the issue, ensuring it remains a priority for the Department for Energy and Climate Change, and front of mind of those at the top of the industry. He said: “I thank the Minister of State for the recent meeting she held with me in connection with the Able development in my constituency, which has the potential for 4,000 new jobs. Is

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there any news of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding with Dong Energy?” Her response underlined the tenacity from Mr Vickers who has campaigned hard with representatives at North Lincolnshire Council to bring this vision forward, mindful of the regenerative impact it can have on an area where the industrial heart of steel is in need of critical care. Mrs Leadsom replied: “I am grateful to my honourable friend for continually holding my feet to the ﬁre on this matter.

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Renewable Energy Industry Training and Development

renewing the humber

AVING endured a longrunning consenting battle that took in Westminster and the High Court, Able Marine Energy Park still echoes around the chambers of power as it does exhibitions and conferences Europe-wide.

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ITH the Humber fast becoming a super-hub for renewable energy, the Grimsby Institute Group (GIG) is perfectly placed to deliver the training requirements of the renewable sector.

Government Minister Penny Mordaunt on a site visit to AMEP, where signiﬁcant groundworks have been undertaken in preparation for development.

east of England, which will which has been spoken about with the include the potential for highest of praise in Copenhagen. the development at Able. I Following the signing of the MoU, am very positive about the a spokesman for Dong Energy told the prospects.” Telegraph: “Able Marine Energy Park Dong Energy has told is very close to what you would come how regular dialogue with up with, if you had to do a painting of DECC continues, and UK vice the optimal cluster for the renewables president Benj Sykes will be industry on a blank canvas. It is close a joint lead on a review of to the sea with abundant quayside the east coast offer, in terms and adjoining land to manufacturer, of construction and staging assemble, and store goods. facilities. “We certainly subscribe to the fact A spokesman told the that it truly is the ‘big space in the right Telegraph after the debate – place’ and we do not underestimate the which itself came on the back commitment already demonstrated by Artist’s impression of the onshore substation for Hornsea at North Killingholme. of Hornsea announcements Able. In our dialogue it has also become – how it was still too early clear that we share the same thoughts to conﬁrm deﬁnite sites for such on reducing cost of electricity from “I have had a number of individual developments. He said: “We will take renewables by creating a sizeable hub meetings with developers to press a broad industry-led approach to help with multiple suppliers.” for UK content as far as possible in develop a comprehensive the offshore wind sector, and I am picture of the already getting some very good responses. available and prospective In particular, he will be aware that future long-term supply chain there is to be a strategy review of opportunities in the UK to support the offshore wind Artist’s impression of an optional Able Marine Energy Park industry.” There has been a rapid run of ‘UK content’ themed announcements from the Danish giant of late, from the Andrea Leadsom and Martin Vickers three North East businesses in conversation in Cleethorpes. winning the cabling contracts for Race Bank, through to Scunthorpe’s AMS No-Dig winning While the review eats more time, it Hornsea work and Balfour Beatty’s £25 has been welcomed by all parties. What million North Killingholme substation exactly the future holds for a critical build award, also for Hornsea. part of the industry where upwards of The latter is just yards from the £50 million has already been spent, we entrance to Able Marine Energy Park, await with interest.

To ensure a clear strategy, GIG works in partnership with leading renewable energy companies and other training providers involved directly with the industry. We have an extensive network of regional and international stakeholders, all involved in renewable energy Through these partnerships, the Grimsby Institute works closely with major players in the offshore wind turbine operations and maintenance sector with a view of formal training for their workforce. The Institute is represented on the board of the Grimsby Renewable

Partnership (GRP) through which, have been able to tailor full time engineering programmes to meet the needs of this growing sector, enabling school leavers to join the Institute at their Engineering and Renewables Centre at the Nuns Corner campus and gain relevant training and knowledge to support future growth in the industry. As members of RenewableUK and Team Humber Marine Alliance (THMA) we are able to meet the demands of the industry, we understand the ever-changing environment and as a responsive training provider we can support employers to train and upskill their workforce to meet their requirements. GIG is also currently focused on the development of introductory renewable energy courses for Job Centre Plus clients and Schools.

ENGINEERING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR SECTOR

The Grimsby Institute Group is a leading provider of training within the Engineering Services, Manufacturing and Process sectors with over 200 clients regionally, nationally and internationally. We offer a full range of programmes from short courses to full qualiﬁcations. Research plus Staff plus Skills plus World-class Training equals Business Success. It all adds up, so call us now to see how we can help your business.

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

Renewable Energy Industry Training and Development

renewing the humber

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ITH the Humber fast becoming a super-hub for renewable energy, the Grimsby Institute Group (GIG) is perfectly placed to deliver the training requirements of the renewable sector.

Government Minister Penny Mordaunt on a site visit to AMEP, where signiﬁcant groundworks have been undertaken in preparation for development.

ENGINEERING SKILLS DEVELOPMENT AND TRAINING SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR SECTOR

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The cost of wind

REPORT published this past month has provided strong evidence that the cost of energy from offshore wind continued to fall through 2015 and remains on track to deliver the target of £100/MWh by 2020. Benj Sykes, industry co-chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, in Grimsby.

It also identiﬁes announcements on the timing and scale of future subsidy regimes and long term capacity requirements as key enablers of further cost reduction. The second annual Cost Reduction

Monitoring Framework report, delivered by the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult on behalf of the Offshore Wind Programme Board, shows that investment in turbine technology has delivered signiﬁcant cost beneﬁts, but that further reduction will need to come from the innovations in ‘balance of plant’, such as foundations, cables and substations. Investment in research and development and manufacturing industrialisation to deliver such improvements, the report warns, will only come with greater visibility of future rates of deployment and market size as Government sets out details of contracts for new offshore wind farms. Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom

said: “The UK offshore wind industry continues to go from strength to strength and I’m delighted to see further evidence that costs are continuing to come down. Reductions in cost will mean better value for hard working bill payers, and are essential if this industry is to thrive.” Of the 13 cost reduction indicators in the report, all but one are ahead or on target with the milestone set for 2015. The only measure that is behind target is growth and scale. Findings show that industry has already adopted innovations that were not previously expected to signiﬁcantly drive cost reduction until 2017, particularly in the areas of turbine design and project maintenance.

Gust of conﬁdence in offshore sector

sector.

Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of trade body RenewableUK

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UK wind farm locations

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Wind Farm Status Operational Wind Farm Under Construction Wind Farm Consented Wind Farm In Planning Wind Farm Pre-planning Wind Farm Area of Search Wind Farm Export Cable Agreements Base Map Territorial Waters Limit UK Continental Shelf International Median United Kingdom Europe

Note Agreements for Lease reserve exclusive property rights from The Crown Estate and projects are still subject to approval through the statutory consenting process. For Round 3 please refer to project developer websites 8°0'W for the latest status of planning activities.

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secured, we will be doubling that over the next couple of years. “By 2020 an average of 10 per cent of the electricity nationwide will be provided by offshore wind. That’s extremely signiﬁcant growth and quite a lot of that, the future projects, are in Grimsby’s neck of the woods. Keep your eye on the ball would be my message to the reader, a lot is going to happen. “Beyond 2020, will it continue? This comes back to the Budget announcement, and it is quite clear that while we have good news, it is fair to say there is a big challenge in cost and affordability. I think it is something the sector needs to tackle, and is tackling. All the evidence is moving in the right direction. With these projects scale is what is required. You want to be buying in bulk, and these are some pretty bulky projects coming up. “There is a limit to what the consumer willing to pay, and the offshore wind industry is rapidly in the market of reducing cost, and that provides the fuel for it to continue growing.” Keeping the UK economy thriving and maximising the most natural of assets available is key, and Mr den Rooijen sees training as a crucial enabler too. With the Humber’s bid for the National Wind College revisited, as well as signiﬁcant private interest, it is hoped his words on this are realised. “The opportunity is there for Grimsby to establish the long term relationship with operators to make sure it can supply skilled workers and skilled staff,” he said. “The industry needs responsible people who can work quite independently in remote locations. There is a tremendous opportunity here to continue to add to the great success story that Grimsby is.”

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and the new forward looking investment. It struck me as quite a harmonious blend,” he said. Prior to his arrival at The Crown Estate Mr van Rooijen worked as an international adviser, and previously was project director of two Dutch wind farms and was responsible for the UK’s first foray, a two-turbine pilot at Blyth. Round Three, with Hornsea and Dogger Bank off the Humber sailing corridor, has been a recent significant focus. “We have been pushing Huub den Rooijen, director of energy, minerals and infrastructure at the Crown Estate it very hard, working with developers and Government to make sure this technology is given a fair opportunity to FFSHORE wind is playing number of bidding rounds to bring these prove its worth,” he said, reflecting on resources to the market. I think, from his work. out well for Grimsby a Grimsby perspective, it is a stroke of And there is belief in the framework and the wider Humber, good fortune that you are sitting next to now set out, partly late last year and according to a senior some of the best real estate in the world again in the past fortnight, that this is figure at the forefront of the in regard to offshore wind. certainly happening. industry. “It is not just environmental Interviewed as Chancellor of Huub den Rooijen is director of conditions, with wind and water depth, the Exchequer George Osborne’s energy, minerals and infrastructure but also you have got to have ports 2016 Budget was approved, Mr den at The Crown Estate, and has led on where you can construct, where you can Rooijen said: “This is very topical offshore wind for the organisation that carry out work for 20 to 25 years, and with the Budget coming through. The manages the seabed on behalf of the we hope longer. announcement for future Contracts for nation for the past four years. “We need to have labour available, Difference auctions, another 4GW of Reflecting on the progress of a grid connections. I think it has played offshore wind, that’s great news. sector that his team facilitates on out well for the Humber, and critically “If we zoom out a little further, behalf of the Sovereign, Mr den Rooijen with operations and maintenance, for last year a little over 5 per cent of all said: “Grimsby is quite a success story Grimsby.” electricity consumed in the nation was and in some ways is the poster child He was a guest at the opening of provided by offshore wind. That’s from for the development of the industrial Westermost Rough offshore wind farm a zero start in 2000, when the first opportunities that this industry can in July last year, and the setting in the turbines were installed. In 15 years to bring. shadow of the iconic Dock Tower has go from zero to 5 per cent is humongous “We have analysed the offshore remained with him too. growth, and what we see now with the wind resources around the UK, they “I was quite struck by the contrast projects already under construction, are world class, and we have run a between the old historical elements and projects that have financial support

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“There is a tremendous opportunity here to continue to add to the great success story that Grimsby is.”

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Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom MP is shown around E.on’s Humber Gateway offshore wind farm facilities in Grimsby by Michael Lewis, chief operating ofﬁcer for E.on Climate and Renewables.

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LONG-TERM political commitment to offshore wind has brought a gust of conﬁdence to the

That is the feeling of a senior figure from northern Lincolnshire who provides a key link between industry and Government. Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of trade body RenewableUK, represents a huge segment of the green economy when it comes to lobbying in the corridors of power, while helping ensure the developers do all they can to meet cost reduction targets and encourage UK content in the supply chain. Announcements on further support in the form of subsidy have been welcomed, with an auction process. Mr Smith, who is from Barton, said: “It has been a strong commitment from Government to the importance of offshore wind and the need to allow companies with the next generation of projects to start preparations. “By the end of this year we can have a new auction which allows, hopefully, a new set of projects to be authorised, and the process towards building then begins from the early part of the next year. “Offshore wind takes a significantly long time to deliver from identifying opportunity to operation, Government appreciates that and to keep that long term strategy in the years ahead is very important.” Asked if what had been delivered had instilled the confidence and clarity, Mr Smith said: “I think we are there.

Benj Sykes, industry co-chair of the Offshore Wind Industry Council, and vice president of Dong Energy UK, said: “We have continued to see excellent progress in reducing the cost of clean energy from offshore wind. The industry is fasttracking adoption of new innovation in turbine design and in project operations, putting us ahead of the curve in efforts to bring down the cost of offshore wind. We are very conﬁdent that we cannot only reach our £100/MWh milestone, but go beyond this to become fully cost competitive with other generation technologies. “We welcome the UK Government’s continued strong support for the

We will see which projects will come forward for consideration at auction, but I think on a UK-wide basis, this gives a lot of confidence that there will be further investment. We have seen that investors are ready to back offshore wind farms, and while the UK is not alone now in these developments, we still remain the biggest market. “In the framework from Government we want to make sure we manage the cost of energy and by using this auction process it will drive down the cost. As an industry we are up for the challenge of cost reduction, we have a good record, we are ahead of schedule, on time and on budget.” Mr Smith is delighted that his home patch is seeing the benefit of a new industry, with Grimsby highlighted at RenewableUK’s annual conference last summer as a key beneficiary when it comes to the wind farms’ economic windfall. It was quickly followed up by Green Alliance using it is as a case study as it pressed Government for long term clarity on the support for the sector. He said: “The Humber as a whole is leading the way for renewables and Grimsby has been a great trailblazer. I am confident that Grimsby will continue to grow and see more work out of renewables. Industry is working really hard to maximise the benefit of this, and we are looking hard at how we can support UK companies to win work right the way through from development and construction, to long term operations. “It is a demonstration of how the industry is taking seriously the impact and benefit that the projects can and are bringing.”

offshore wind sector, recognising it as a major contributor to the nation’s future energy mix.” The report also assessed the degree of confidence that the industry has in delivering further cost savings. It found high confidence of delivery in eight of the indicators, with medium confidence in a further three, to achieve the milestone of £100/MWh in 2020. Such confidence has brought a commitment from Government to work with industry on agreeing a new, ambitious cost reduction target for the 2020s.

He sees more to come too. “There is still a lot more industry can achieve over time as we develop bigger projects and as we see this bigger pipeline. With Siemens arriving (in Hull) and starting to supply UK blades, that is an important development, and there are still companies looking in the supply chain, looking around the Humber, at how it can be developed. “We have also got UK companies winning work abroad for their products and services. Other offshore markets are emerging, in Europe, China and America. Early UK investment will pay dividends as we export to help these markets.” The development of storage for generated electricity is also seen as a game-changer for the industry, helping manage the peaks and troughs that come. “There are wider challenges about storage, but for offshore, onshore and solar the beneﬁts are clear. “Renewables are variable, but can be managed at very short notice, which is really useful for frequency response and keeping the quality of power right, which is important thing as National Grid manage all that. “Storage has a much bigger role to play, and we have already seen the market responding to that.”

How conﬁdence in the offshore wind sector shapes up. Graphic: Renewable UK.

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

renewing the humber

The cost of wind

It also identiﬁes announcements on the timing and scale of future subsidy regimes and long term capacity requirements as key enablers of further cost reduction. The second annual Cost Reduction

Gust of conﬁdence in offshore sector

sector.

Maf Smith, deputy chief executive of trade body RenewableUK

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8°0'W

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UK wind farm locations

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“There is a tremendous opportunity here to continue to add to the great success story that Grimsby is.”

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Energy Minister Andrea Leadsom MP is shown around E.on’s Humber Gateway offshore wind farm facilities in Grimsby by Michael Lewis, chief operating ofﬁcer for E.on Climate and Renewables.

4°0'E

LONG-TERM political commitment to offshore wind has brought a gust of conﬁdence to the

How conﬁdence in the offshore wind sector shapes up. Graphic: Renewable UK.

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Brace! Brace! Brace! Our man makes a splash to experience exactly what’s coming

So just what is it like to train to work offshore? Ahead of AIS’s major investment into North East Lincolnshire, business editor David Laister paid the £10 million training training village at North Shields a visit.

FFSHORE dry suit, hard hat, four-point safety belt and a window seat.

All the previous times I’ve flown, the latter is the only one I’ve been familiar with, but this time it is my exit point as well. I try to push the drill to the back of my mind as I feel the crane hoist us up in the impressive North Shields survival centre, soon to be replicated in North East Lincolnshire. I’m imagining I’m coming back from a routine day’s work on one of the vast arrays of turbines in a maturing offshore wind industry in the North Sea. It could be Hornsea, Dogger Bank, Triton Knoll... maybe one we’ve not even heard of yet. Thoughts turn to the wife and children, I’d be returning to, just a half hour drive from Humberside Airport. Could my son or daughter follow ‘my’ footsteps. Then, suddenly, we’re no longer flying. “Brace! Brace! Brace!” bellows our instructor. We’ve rehearsed this, I know exactly what I need to do, yet still the adrenaline courses through you like a first date... only this time it feels like it is with destiny, and we’re not talking Beyoncé. I enjoy swimming, but it has been seriously neglected of late. From being a young kayaker, mad on water parks it has been reduced to occasionally supporting children as they take tentative first splashes, a further downgrade on a few lengths in the sun, before the pool bar opens. Yet memories of lessons on a Sunday morning at Scartho Baths come rushing back as I find myself under instruction again, in a pool again, uncertain of my abilities, again. Being fully clothed, including footwear, puts an immediately different slant on proceedings. Quite a leap

from the pyjamas and brick exercise to get a long-since frayed badge back in my school days. But this training is all about badges enabling you to work. The offshore ‘ticket’ is more important than a driving licence for anyone looking at the new opportunities emerging. But enough of that, we’ve hit the water and it is coming into the cabin at an alarming rate. “Once it reaches the tip of your helmet, count to seven and make your way out,” was the ﬁnal piece of the crash course in crashing. Concerned this was seven seconds of air I needed to release the seat belt and force the window on the simulator, I had to ask why. “You might want to give the rotor blades a chance to stop spinning before you stick your head out of the water,” came the response. If you’re going to survive dropping out of the sky, you need to keep your head to have a chance of reaching dry land. So up it comes, I carefully gauge my breathing, then realise that I’d normally hold my nose like Mia Wallace in a Jack Rabbit Slim’s dance off in this situation. Instead, after switching from brace to escape positions, one hand is on the (here’s hoping) quick release belt buckle, and the other is ready to swing the elbow at the window pane. All is okay, until the vessel rolls, bringing a little disorientation, as well as a good bit of water into my nasal cavity and beyond. But the drill kicks in, as the adrenaline comes into its own, and the belt that is so cumbersome to put on does exactly what it is designed to. Window forced, I lead with the head (as the body will follow), and up to the light and air. Wow! Cracked, and increasingly conﬁdent. With divers on hand, eyes out of the pool too, it is a superb environment to learn vital survival techniques. And with helicopter

simulator hoisted out, there are life rafts, different marine structure escape rigs and other crucial procedures to perfect. It is a soft entry to a tough world. The water is more infinity pool than icy North Sea, it is well lit and the impact with the water is gentle, but I’m told candidates have turned round and walked out rather than take a seat. Buoyed by this, I’m feeling brave, and hopeful that a fear of heights won’t stop me learning how to conquer a turbine. Showered and changed in facilities that would surpass many a hotel or leisure club, I’m taken across to the working at height building, opened earlier this year by RenewableUK’s chairman, Julian Brown. It is a slightly larger version of what has been created by AIS at HCF Catch already, with mock nacelles and different climbing equipment to cover variants in build design out on the farms. Where the dry suit was is now a full harness, secured at waist, thighs and shoulders, with some seriously heavy equipment too. Personal fall protection aids, fall arrest systems, huge hooks to allow for safe rest during the climb; 15kg in all. Suddenly the well equipped gym in the fit-for-purpose offshore imitating hotel doesn’t look such a novelty. After much finger and thumb fumbling with belts and buckles, I’m there, climbing, and dangling in the safest possible way. It feels fine, the adrenaline has shot up a notch or two, but so has my confidence in ladder work. Maybe I’ll be okay putting the Christmas decorations up outside the house this year... My instructor’s happy, and we’re in the car to Blyth, five miles up the coast, where AIS works hand in glove with the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, the UK’s flagship technology innovation

running up, and I’m off. All feels well with the world, but it is tough going, and the proximity to the wall does make it a tad claustrophobic. I was told earlier not to climb with my arms, to use my leg muscles, but it is difficult. The vertical ladder brings balance into the equation too. 10m up, higher than I’ve ever climbed like this before, and I freeze. There’s an argument in my head. I want to go on, to do this, but my legs won’t move, and my arms aren’t too keen either. I’m a couple of rungs from a safety bar, where you can attach your equipment and free your hands. I don’t want to go up, but I need to free up my hands to reset the fall arrest system to let me change direction, having overly ambitiously moved it up. I can’t explain how much of an effort this final act is, even having disappointed myself and made the decision to then descend. At 11m I’ve been found out. It will not take my absolute lack of electrical engineering knowledge to rule me out of any future role in this bright new industry... just my fear of heights. I reach the safe point, and the hands are shaking. This has all taken a couple of minutes tops, but I’m shattered, physically and, alarmingly, mentally too. Nervous energy got me so far it seems, but my inner spirit level overrules. Equating it to a building puts me on the fourth floor, and suddenly Heritage House’s first floor back in Grimsby can’t come soon enough.

ROLL WITH IT: The helicopter simulator rolls underwater with Laister strapped in.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: Our man survives the helicopter pool evacuation, but fails the tower test (pictured far right).

and research centre for offshore wind, wave and tidal energy. Steven Vert is my man. Ex Royal Navy, he has worked offshore on London Array, before moving back to his native North East, and joining AIS. We approach the 30m tower and I’m pleasantly surprised how up for the task in hand I feel. Inside, you climb a ladder with your back to the tower’s internal wall. He goes ﬁrst, carrying a rope long enough to get us down should there be any issue with the ladder. Gulp. Up he goes, the ﬁrst 15m cleared and through a hatch to the second section. He gives me the shout to go. I click on my fall arrest system to the wire

The working at height facility in North Shields.

THUMBS UP: Conﬁdence is an essential part of getting soaked.

BRIEFING ON THE MOVE: An explantion about exactly how to evacuate.

BREAKFAST IS SERVED: Was the black pudding a wise choice pre-dunk?

GYM WITHIN: The hotel boasts ﬁtness equipment as well as a cinema room and kitchen.

LOOK WHAT HE COULD HAVE SEEN: The view from the top of the Blyth turbine tower.

USEFUL ADDITION: The AIS Hotel.

RELAX: The lounge area in the AIS hotel at North Shields.

Four metres away from the hatch, a sympathetic Steve (considering he made the full climb), tells me that once through it would be like starting from the ground floor again, and it is slightly less of a climb. I’m not sure heart could over rule head and convince myself I was on terra firma. More galling is that for the vital offshore ticket, you have to complete the 15m climb, as it has been found to be the largest needed to test competency, with lifts fitted inside the towers that are proliferating the sea. I’ve come up short, but I’ve given it my best shot. Again I’m told tales of others walking away without reaching half the height. Does it make me feel better? No. But I know I’ve pushed myself to the limit, in the safest possible manner, in an environment abounding in positivity. Who knows, a week in the drill hall and I might just improve. You’re supposed to scare yourself regularly according to Chicago Tribune columnist Mary Schmich’s famous ‘Wear Sunscreen’ piece penned in June 1997, that went on to become a global hit for Baz Luhrmann. I picked up my first notepad the following month, and I don’t think I’ll be swapping it for a spanner any time soon...

SURVIVOR: Laister swims to safety, with a diver keeping a close eye on proceedings.

PLETHORA OF COURSES: The breadth of training available.

GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

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GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH

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Thursday, March 31, 2016

renewing the humber

Brace! Brace! Brace! Our man makes a splash to experience exactly what’s coming

FFSHORE dry suit, hard hat, four-point safety belt and a window seat.

ROLL WITH IT: The helicopter simulator rolls underwater with Laister strapped in.

THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UGLY: Our man survives the helicopter pool evacuation, but fails the tower test (pictured far right).

The working at height facility in North Shields.

THUMBS UP: Conﬁdence is an essential part of getting soaked.

BRIEFING ON THE MOVE: An explantion about exactly how to evacuate.

BREAKFAST IS SERVED: Was the black pudding a wise choice pre-dunk?

GYM WITHIN: The hotel boasts ﬁtness equipment as well as a cinema room and kitchen.

LOOK WHAT HE COULD HAVE SEEN: The view from the top of the Blyth turbine tower.

USEFUL ADDITION: The AIS Hotel.

RELAX: The lounge area in the AIS hotel at North Shields.

SURVIVOR: Laister swims to safety, with a diver keeping a close eye on proceedings.

PLETHORA OF COURSES: The breadth of training available.

GRIMSBY TELEGRAPH

Visit our website www.grimsbytelegraph.co.uk

Thursday, March 31, 2016

GTE-E01-S3

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