Interest in Able’s huge port-led development on the South Humber Bank is said to be at a record high as the team re-energises the huge dual proposal.
The £450 million scheme – a figure no doubt vastly inflated – brought promise of thousands of jobs when it was publicly announced more than 15 years ago. But having missed out on initial phases of development in offshore wind, a rebrand and repositioning is now emerging as it renews its long-fought for consent.
As part of it, Able UK is harbouring ambition to ease some of the constraining challenges that came with an arduous planning process, now dating back a decade.
Read more: New chair at the helm of Humber Marine & Renewables
And with the government’s clean energy subsidy regime under the microscope following a lack of appetite from developers at the current pricing – not one bid for offshore wind was made to the latest auction round – a shake-up is urgently sought.
Now known as Able Humber Port and Able Energy Park, changes are being rung as it looks to capitalise on a central position within the region’s proposed carbon capture and hydrogen transportation network – while still keen to play a key role in wind, with 2050 targets only half way there.
It could seek permission to build the giant quay in phases, to make it easier to attract investment, while also widening the remit in renewables.
Marcus Walker, the North Lincolnshire regeneration chief who helped kickstart the project concept with the local authority 20 years ago as the North East business he now represents as Humber development director started buying up land, has given a major update on progress.
(Image: Kevin Michael Ladden Photography)
And a significant element is the logistics zone as it was previously marketed, being turned towards new clean fuel solutions and associated industry.
Discussions about creating direct energy supplies with neighbouring generators for intensive operations are also taking place, furthering the attraction, with biofuels and lithium battery manufacturing interests outlined.
Mr Walker said: “We have an exponential number of advanced inward investment enquiries. We expect hydrogen, industrial manufacturing and big energy uses, people wanting to tap into carbon capture and storage and have access to hydrogen and potential offtakes with Phillips 66 and Prax refineries.
“Investment interest is better than it has ever been before, as it sits at the heart of the CCS and hydrogen network. It is shovel-ready, and ready to go.”
Mr Walker presented the latest steps to Humber Marine & Renewables, a long-term supporter of the scheme.
Of the area that sits away from the proposed huge quay, up river to the north west of Humber Sea Terminal, he said: “It was quite a sleepy site with not a huge amount of interest. “We have got planning permission for Amazon-type one million sq ft sheds, and for all industrial uses.
“We have changed its name, and the reason for that is we have two carbon capture and storage schemes proposed (sitting either side – Zero Carbon Humber and Viking CCS), with a hydrogen pipeline going through. We are surrounded by three gas power stations and another potential provider, we are working together to get a private wire agreement. Our demand on AEP could be 2GW.
(Image: Able UK)
“We haven’t sat on our hands, we have spent over £200 million on land acquisition and works. Around 63 per cent of all our land works are now complete, which includes raising land above the flood levels – we’ve taken action ahead of climate change and moved above.
“All four access roads are in, and we have just about completed the £11 million new pumping station, designed to work through a perfect storm of spring tides, low pressure over the North Sea and torrential rain on land. Even though it has never flooded before, that would take care of any eventuality and also takes care of the refineries and Humber Sea Terminal.”
More than 1,500 acres of compensation land has also been secured to meet strict environmental measures.
“All that is in place, we have an oven ready site, with Able Humber Port and Able Energy Park ready to go,” Mr Walker said.
“We’re also part of Humber Freeport, we have a 178 hectare tax site, with significant benefits, far greater than the old enterprise zones. And the real benefit is the four local authorities retain the business rates. Able alone, if fully developed, would see the area retain £400 million, and that money has to be spent on economic development. That’s potentially a very big pot of money.”
Read next: Marcus Walker on his return to “finish the job” started 20 years ago
Original artice – https://business-live.co.uk/all-about/yorkshire-humber
