Ports: Gateways to Offshore Renewables

Thursday 4 November 2010

The Heights Hotel, Dorset

Ports are the gateway for offshore renewable energy projects. Only by having the right port infrastructure will the UK be able to provide a base for the manufacturing, construction and operation of offshore renewable energy projects.

This event, aimed at companies involved with the installation and operation of offshore renewable projects examined the opportunities that exist and how fit-for-purpose ports are vital for the entire supply chain.

More than 70 delegates made their way to Portland for the Ports: Gateways to Offshore Renewables event.

Presentations are now available from:

• Johnny Boston, the Crown Estate
• Stuart Grant, Eneco Wind UK
• Peter Crone, Zero Carbon Marine/ RWE npower renewables
• Jim O’Toole, Port of Mostyn Ltd
• Ian McQuade, Portland Port Ltd
• Howard Holt, Seeports
• Richard Parkinson, Mojo Maritime (on its way)
• John Davies, Global Marine Services Ltd

We have since received extremely positive feedback from delegates, with many saying that they found that each speaker presentation was interesting and that the whole day was useful to see the link between the capabilities of ports and opportunities that exist for companies working in offshore operations.

Representatives from Eneco and RWE npower renewables updated the crowd on the timescales for the two round three offshore wind farms in the south west. Johnny Boston from the Crown Estate gave an overview of the future of offshore wind and marine energy in the south west. A perspective of the opportunities for ports in the offshore renewables sector was given by Jim O'Toole from the Port of Mostyn, a port that is engaged successfully with offshore wind farms in the Irish Sea, and from Ian McQuade, Portland Port who gave details of the ports' future plans.

Howard Holt from SeePorts rounded up the morning with a summary of the role of ports with regards to offshore renewables, complementing the presentations given earlier. In the afternoon, representatives from Global Marine Services Ltd and Mojo Maritime articulated how important ports will be for offshore renewables from a company point of view.
A wide mix of businesses attended the day which led to an interesting discussion between the speakers and delegates at the close of the day.