About time!!
Southampton to be energy industry hub
SOUTHAMPTON is poised to become a major hub for the renewable energy industry as new, multi-million-pound plans gather pace to develop an enormous wind farm in the Channel.
Quick to spot the lucrative potential of an emerging market, organisers of this week’s Seawork 2010, the biggest exhibition of its type in Europe, are aiming to underline how important renewable energy schemes are to the commercial marine industry.
Many more than last year’s turnout of 7,000 delegates are expected to travel to the city to meet more than 400 exhibitors, including 75 from in and around Southampton. In total there will more than 60 vessels moored to a purpose built marina.
Planning consents are now being sought for the proposed £175m wind farm in the West of Wight zone, one of nine similar projects around Britain’s coastline, which eventually should supply a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs.
A whole pavilion at the 13th annual Seawork show, which opens its doors next Tuesday in the Western Docks, will be dedicated to services needed by the renewable energy industry. On show will be everything from underwater technology to safety equipment, civil engineering and specialist vessels.
Seawork has also been chosen by the Renewable Energy Association as the venue for a major, international conference on wave and tidal technology.
Other pavilions will feature marine civil engineering, maritime security, shipbuilding and repair, training and careers, and rigid inflatable boats while the Small Business Enterprise Zone has been specifically provided for start-up and smaller companies.
A host of Hampshire exhibitors will be on show, including BAE Systems, which will be showcasing its Portsmouth built high-speed RIBs.
Known as VT Halmatic before the BAE buyout of the joint venture, RIBs on show will include the new 40 knot Pacific 950, pictured, which is in service with the Royal Navy and special forces.
As part of a Ministry of Defence initiative, naval attaches from around the globe will be again at Seawork to learn about exhibitors’ products and services.
In 2009 attaches from Chile, Saudia Arabia, Ghana, Mexico, Nigeria, and South Africa attended the exhibition but this year the number is expected to double.
Andrew Webster, of Fareham’s Mercator Media, who has masterminded the growth of Seawork since its inception, said: “I believe Seawork vividly demonstrates the vigour and diversity of the commercial marine industry.
“In particular, it is possible to sense the industry’s enthusiasm to support Europe’s renewable energy initiatives to harness the wind, waves and tides to generate economically viable power.”
SOUTHAMPTON is poised to become a major hub for the renewable energy industry as new, multi-million-pound plans gather pace to develop an enormous wind farm in the Channel.
Quick to spot the lucrative potential of an emerging market, organisers of this week’s Seawork 2010, the biggest exhibition of its type in Europe, are aiming to underline how important renewable energy schemes are to the commercial marine industry.
Many more than last year’s turnout of 7,000 delegates are expected to travel to the city to meet more than 400 exhibitors, including 75 from in and around Southampton. In total there will more than 60 vessels moored to a purpose built marina.
Planning consents are now being sought for the proposed £175m wind farm in the West of Wight zone, one of nine similar projects around Britain’s coastline, which eventually should supply a quarter of the UK’s electricity needs.
A whole pavilion at the 13th annual Seawork show, which opens its doors next Tuesday in the Western Docks, will be dedicated to services needed by the renewable energy industry. On show will be everything from underwater technology to safety equipment, civil engineering and specialist vessels.
Seawork has also been chosen by the Renewable Energy Association as the venue for a major, international conference on wave and tidal technology.
Other pavilions will feature marine civil engineering, maritime security, shipbuilding and repair, training and careers, and rigid inflatable boats while the Small Business Enterprise Zone has been specifically provided for start-up and smaller companies.
A host of Hampshire exhibitors will be on show, including BAE Systems, which will be showcasing its Portsmouth built high-speed RIBs.
Known as VT Halmatic before the BAE buyout of the joint venture, RIBs on show will include the new 40 knot Pacific 950, pictured, which is in service with the Royal Navy and special forces.
As part of a Ministry of Defence initiative, naval attaches from around the globe will be again at Seawork to learn about exhibitors’ products and services.
In 2009 attaches from Chile, Saudia Arabia, Ghana, Mexico, Nigeria, and South Africa attended the exhibition but this year the number is expected to double.
Andrew Webster, of Fareham’s Mercator Media, who has masterminded the growth of Seawork since its inception, said: “I believe Seawork vividly demonstrates the vigour and diversity of the commercial marine industry.
“In particular, it is possible to sense the industry’s enthusiasm to support Europe’s renewable energy initiatives to harness the wind, waves and tides to generate economically viable power.”