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Yarmouth could see major offshore windfarm boost

Yarmouth could see major offshore windfarm boost
By Emma Philo Thu, 18 October 2012 6:31PM

Around 100 new full-time jobs could be created if Yarmouth is chosen as a maintenance port for the offshore wind park planned for the sea off the Needles.

Developers behind Navitus Bay are currently going through a public consultation and environmental impact assessment on the proposals, which would create between 900MW and 1200MW of energy.

The number of turbines, which would be based in an area of sea 8.4 miles southwest of the Needles, is not yet known. 

However, there could be 100 of the tallest turbines (210m) or 333 of the smallest structures (145m).

Developers have confirmed to Isle of Wight Radio that they are currently in discussion with Yarmouth Harbour commissioners about the potential for a maintenance port in the town. 

Mike Unsworth, Project Director of Navitus Bay Development Ltd, told IW Radio: "We are looking at English ports in the region to be utilised during the operations and maintenance phase of the project. So, once the project has been built, it'll be operating for 25 years and we need a local port to be able to do the maintenance from. So Yarmouth is close to the site, and we're talking to Yarmouth, amongst other ports - we're also talking to Poole Harbour and Swanage and Portland - but discussing with Yarmouth how they would develop infrastructure to help serve the needs of the project during its 25 year life."

And Mike said that it could create 100 local full time jobs, for the life of the project: "They would be primarily technicians who would be visiting turbines, doing routine maintenance, being taken out on crew transfer vessels from the harbour. But it's not all maintenance, there would be office, admin jobs, there would be finance, office management type jobs.

"They lend themselves very much to apprenticeships, college courses, people learning trades and coming into the industry as technicians and developing those skills," Mike added.

And the Island could also see a major economic boost, Mike added: "We would typically spend in the region of £20m per year operating and maintaining a project of this size. If you look, historically, at how much of that is spent locally, that is roughly in the region of 40% so you could be looking at £8m per annum going into the local economy, in addition to the 100 permanent, full-time jobs."

As Isle of Wight Radio recently reported, the third planned stage of public consultation on the proposals has been postponed until February 2013, to allow the developers to create more detailed imagery of how the turbines might look from various locations along the south coast.

A fourth and final stage of consultation would then be held during the summer next year. Planning permission could be applied for towards the end of 2013, or early 2014. A decision on planning from the Secretary of State would then be expected by the middle of 2015, and if consent is granted, developers said they would be looking to start construction in the offshore environment in late 2017 or early 2018, until the end of 2020/21.

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