Dong Energy will have invested £5.4bn in developing offshore wind farms off the coast of North West England by 2019, according to a new report by Regeneris Consulting.
The report – The Economic Impact of Dong Energy Investments in the East Irish Sea – said the investments are creating jobs and helping the supply chain grow in the Liverpool region, Cumbria and Northern Ireland.
For example, it said contracts let by Dong and other offshore wind developers have supported the growth of local supply chain to an estimated 140 businesses in the Merseyside area.
Other businesses to benefit, the report said, are Cammell Laird, which has been able to diversify because of offshore wind sector opportunities in the East Irish Sea in the last five years.
Bibby Hydromap has expanded its team from 40 to over 100 staff over the last five years, while Hughes Subsea Engineering has grown its workforce to 35 and invested over £400,000 in new equipment because of Dong contracts.
The overall £5.4bn investment includes £2.7bn across the four currently operational wind farms – Barrow, Walney, Burbo Bank and West of Duddon Sands – and a further estimated £2.7bn in two extensions at Burbo Bank 2 and Walney 3.
Image: Dong operates the West of Duddon Sands wind farm with ScottishPower Renewables (ScottishPower)
