Mon, 16 Apr 2012

Energy services firm Offshore Group Newcastle (OGN) will create up to 1,000 “long-term jobs” in the North-East, after being awarded a government grant.

The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) will give £640k to the firm to build a prototype steel jacketed foundation for offshore wind power technology.

The product will be designed and constructed by sister company Aquind.

According to industry body Renewable UK, offshore wind will account for 17% of UK electricity production by 2020.

OGN chief executive David Edwards says: “The offshore wind energy market is crucial to Britain’s future energy needs and we will do our utmost to ensure that this grant takes the UK into an even stronger role as the lead player in this sector.

“This grant is important for the development of Aquind, and is fantastic news for Tyneside and the North-East.”