Plans for £400m Humber wind farm port unveiled

Five thousand offshore turbines are set to be built in the North Sea

A £400m project to transform the south bank of the Humber into an international centre for renewable energy industries has been revealed.

The site near Immingham would become a base for the construction of turbines for huge North Sea wind farms.

Hartlepool-based developer Able UK said up to 27,000 jobs would be created if its plans were given the go-ahead.

Covering almost 2,000 acres, the Humber site is the largest available for port-related developments in the UK.

Able UK said its plans included new quayside facilities for the construction and installation of wind turbines and the development of biomass energy generation.

It would create about 10,000 on-site jobs with another 17,000 in northern Lincolnshire and the wider region.

Able UK executive chairman Peter Stephenson said the marine energy park plans were "of national significance".

"It is an opportunity to provide all the facilities required for the manufacture, commissioning and installation base for offshore wind turbines within close proximity to the massive wind farms which will be developed in the North Sea," he said.

The three offshore wind areas of Dogger Bank, Hornsea and Norfolk Bank would require about 5,000 turbines to deliver their full capacity.

"Alongside the wind turbine operations there is the potential for the development of a biomass power plant capable of supplying electricity for half-a-million homes," Mr Stephenson added.

Simon Hill, executive director of business at regional development agency Yorkshire Forward said: "We are keen for the Humber and the wider region to reap the full economic benefits of the massive expansion of offshore wind sector.

"Any investment that can actively unlock significant economic and employment potential and enable sites within the region to be major centres for renewable energies is welcome.

"This development provides an excellent strategic fit with the needs of the offshore wind sector. "

More than £50m has already been invested in the Humber Port development which is currently used for vehicle import, storage and distribution.

Able UK last year announced proposals for a major logistics centre and business park at the site, which North Lincolnshire Council is expected to vote on shortly.