Port of Hartlepool demonstrates its focus on renewable energy sector to Energy Minister

News Release PD Ports, Harbour Office Tees Dock (Port Operations Centre) June 27, 2011

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LONDON, 27
June 2011 – The Port of Hartlepool today hosted
a visit by Charles Hendry, Minister of State for the Department of Energy and
Climate Change, and used the opportunity to call for more clarity in the
Government’s renewable energy policy.
 
The port in north-east England is
part of the PD Ports Group which is one of the major companies driving
Teesside’s ambition to become a centre of excellence for the UK wind energy
market.
 
PD Ports says it is imperative that
the Government has a direct, clear and positive view of the renewables sector,
including Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs), funding and planning.

 
“There is a major reluctance to
invest in this sector until the Government sets the level for ROCs which will
determine what proportion of their power that UK electricity suppliers must
generate from renewable sources,” explains David Robinson, CEO, PD Ports
Group.
 
“As long as
the Government delays specifying the ROC level, it causes great uncertainly in
the market and gives international companies no clear incentive to invest in UK
facilities,” he says.
 
Despite these restrictions, the Port
of Hartlepool is already building a reputation as a centre of wind energy
expertise on its 50ha site. The port hosts JDR Cable Systems, a leading cable
manufacturer for renewable energy projects, and Heerema Fabrication Group, which
specialises in the engineering and fabrication of large and complex structures,
mainly for the offshore oil & gas and energy industry. 
The Minister visited both these
companies as well as Port of Hartlepool facilities. The visit was organised by
Iain Wright, MP for Hartlepool, who is a supporter of the initiative, called
Chain Reaction, to attract companies in the renewable energy sector to establish
themselves in the area, bringing much-needed investment and jobs.
 
During the visit, the Minister
commended the collaboration and close working relationship between the port,
JDR, Heerema, the local council and the local MP. He also commented on how
impressed he was with the fact that a company such as JDR was able to grow from
scratch to such an impressive working plant within three years at the
port.
 
Please contact <A
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