The Cabinet Member for Central and Support Services introduced a report by the Head of Universal and Infrastructure Services which set out the terms agreed for the acquisition of a site in Abbey Street, Birkenhead, to facilitate the development of business accommodation for the offshore wind sector.

The Cabinet had received a report at its meeting on 14 March 2013 outlining the current energy challenges facing the UK and how nationally, there was a clear focus on renewables.  (Minute No. 222 refers)  The offshore wind industry was seen by the Government as a key growth sector reflecting the fact that the UK was recognised as the most attractive place in the world for investment in offshore wind (Arup, 2010).  Given the level of investment going into this industry, the Government was seeking to ensure that UK based suppliers were able to provide at least 50% of the content of future offshore wind farms.

The offshore wind sector presented a huge opportunity for Wirral. The Crown Estates were bringing forward sites for offshore wind farm developments and the Wirral coast already hosted some of the largest offshore wind farms in the UK at Burbo Bank and Gwynt y Mor.  Further investment was now taking place into Round 3 sites, which had a strong focus on the Irish Sea. Here 1,000 turbines were planned, the value of which was estimated to be in the region of £18bn and with an industry calculation of 4.5 jobs per installed turbine (Renewables UK), capturing a share of this market would bring immediate jobs, but also open up supply chain and export opportunities in this expanding industry.

The Cabinet Member for Central and Support Services informed that the off shore wind sector had already been recognised as a priority sector within Wirral and companies were already active in this industry. In 2011 Cammell Laird agreed a contract with energy company RWE npower Renewables to provide a construction base and engineering support for the development of the Gwynt y Mor wind farm.  Work was now taking place for the installation of 160 wind turbine foundations over the next two years.

In June 2012 the Council, working closely with Cammell Laird, had submitted an application to the third round of the Government’s Regional Growth Fund (RGF) for resources to support the development of the offshore wind sector. RGF was established to invest in business projects that created growth and supported a rebalancing of the economy and £1bn had been made available for Round 3. The Government had received over 400 applications totalling well over £2bn and in mid October the Council had been informed that it had successfully secured £5 million to be invested over the next three years.

Part of this RGF award had been identified to provide support to local businesses that wished to expand and diversify to take advantage of related supply chain opportunities.  In addition RGF monies would be used to attract new inward investment to Wirral within this sector.  This may  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50