Venterra Group subsidiary Osbit has launched a new offshore wind manufacturing facility at the Port of Blyth.
The offshore wind engineering company has opened a new assembly and service facility at the port, creating 33 skilled jobs.
The new 3350-square metre facility, located at the port’s Wimbourne Quay, boasts a build and test space four times larger than Osbit’s previous site. It provides access to multiple heavy lift quays, and can accommodate four times as many skilled workers in the adjoining office space. This expansion has already doubled the number of permanent positions at the assembly facility.
Construction of the new facility was made possible by a grant from the Business Growth Fund, which is funded by the Northeast Combined Authority, Gateshead Metropolitan Borough Council, and Sunderland City Council through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF).
Osbit is part of Venterra Group, a UK-based global provider of offshore wind services. Osbit said the new facility will enhance collaboration across the group’s portfolio of offshore wind companies, with meeting rooms and dedicated client hosting facilities reinforcing Osbit and Venterra’s role in supporting the UK supply chain and enabling the clean energy transition.
The Port of Blyth has been instrumental in the development of Osbit’s expanded facility. The project included the conversion of one of the port’s warehouses at their Bates Clean Energy Terminal (pictured) into an engineering workshop for Osbit.
This transformation included the addition of new offices and overhead cranes, allowing for enhanced operational capabilities.
Now fully operational, the facility has already contributed to the delivery of first-of-kind wind farm installation tools, a floating offshore wind cable testing rig, and multiple offshore access gangways.
Steve Binney, the Osbit director responsible for the site’s development, said: “Opening this new facility is a huge milestone for Osbit.
“We are now able to deliver multiple projects simultaneously, under one roof, and situate ourselves in prime position to meet the increasing demands of the industry.
“The adjoining facility also provides a satellite office for our rapidly-expanding team, enabling us to grow with the sector.”
Commercial director at the Port of Blyth Alasdair Kerr added: “We’re delighted to support Osbit’s continued growth through significant investment in a larger, purpose-built facility at our Bates Clean Energy Terminal. Relocating the company to this enhanced site not only enables greater operational capacity but also strengthens the long-standing partnership between Osbit and the Port.
“This collaboration is a great example of how we’re working with key tenants to drive innovation and growth in the offshore energy sector.”