RWE selects Hobson & Porter for Grimsby Hub
The German energy giant has appointed the Humber-based contractor to complete the construction of its operations and maintenance facility known as the Grimsby Hub.
The contract includes an extension to the existing Triton Knoll Offshore Wind Farm base at Grimsby’s Royal Dock, and includes the creation of a centralised control room to oversee the operation of the vast majority of RWE’s UK offshore portfolio.
RWE announced the creation of the Grimsby Hub back in 2021, marking a major strategic commitment to the UK’s east coast. As well as Triton Knoll, RWE’s 1.4 gigawatt Sofia Offshore Wind Farm, currently under construction, will also locate its operations and maintenance activities to the new hub.
Joe Booth, business development director for Hobson & Porter said: “This project will take our business revenues from the offshore wind industry beyond £25m in recent years having previously delivered the adjacent East Coast Hub for Orsted and the Aura Innovation centre in Hessle for The University of Hull; plus a number of other smaller projects.
In total, RWE expects the new facility will accommodate around 140 employees, with potentially around 70 new local jobs created, plus indirect jobs required in support.
Construction is due to start shortly and will take around one year to complete.
Guy Middleton, RWE general manager for the Grimsby Hub, said: “It is great to have been able to award the contract to a local firm which brings a wealth of experience to the project.”
RWE is a major renewables player in the energy sector. The business plans to invest €50bn by 2030 to grow its green core business, globally, of which £15bn is earmarked for the UK. During 2022, the 856MW Triton Knoll offshore wind farm became fully operational, while RWE’s 1.4GW Sofia offshore wind farm is now well into construction. RWE is also involved in four of the UK’s seven offshore wind extension projects and recently signed agreements for lease for its two Dogger Bank South offshore wind farm sites. Meanwhile, the company is also exploring floating wind projects including in the Celtic Sea region.
