RWE’s leading figure in the UK has underlined the commitment to long-term excellence in offshore wind operations and maintenance in Grimsby.
The German-multinational energy giant’s UK country chair, Tom Glover, visited the port with borough MPs Lia Nici and Martin Vickers.
The company is creating a larger hub, building on the recently established presence of Triton Knoll to add the significantly larger Sofia wind farm to the quayside it now shares with Orsted.
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Mr Glover, who welcomed the MPs to the site together with the site management team, said: “Through RWE’s investment in the Royal Dock site, we aim to create a centre of knowledge and expertise that guarantees our presence in the region for the long term, and which we will create more opportunities for local jobs, skills training and longer-term relationships with nearby suppliers.”
He told how RWE is driving the development of one of the largest offshore wind pipelines in the UK.
Onshore construction for Sofia, off the North Yorkshire coast, is already underway, with completion anticipated in 2026. It also has two projects with a capacity of up to 3GW heading towards Round Four lease agreement in the same Dogger Bank zone.
RWE said the expanded facility will have the potential to create around 60 new, local jobs plus indirect jobs required in support of the facilities.
Whilst touring the site, the MPs met and spoke with the workforce, as well as local apprentices from the area who are training to become RWE offshore wind technicians.
They also had the opportunity to step aboard Triton Knoll’s service operations vessel during its stopover at the dock for crew changeover.
It spends two-week periods at sea where the crew, who live on the vessel during this time, maintain the offshore wind farm.
Grimsby MP Lia Nici said: “It was fantastic to meet the employees working at RWE’s Triton Knoll base, as well as the local apprentices who are learning skills that will help them build successful careers in the UK’s growing green energy sector. I look forward to the additional jobs and investment in Grimsby, which RWE’s future investment will bring.”
Cleethorpes colleague Martin Vickers added: “Offshore wind expansion is a local and national success story, and it was encouraging to hear about RWE’s further investment in the local offshore energy sector, which will lead to new employment and economic opportunities for local people and businesses.”
