Dong Energy is planning to build an offshore wind operations and maintenance (O&M) hub in Grimsby, on England's east coast.
Said to be the UK’s largest of its kind, the facility will be developed alongside the existing Westermost Rough operation and maintenance facility in the town’s Royal Dock.
Subject to planning approval, the hub will initially support the 210MW Westermost Rough, 580MW Race Bank and 1.2GW Hornsea Project One offshore wind farms.
The hub will be equipped to provide support services to other east coast wind farms that the company will develop in the future.
DONG Energy UK Country chairman Brent Cheshire said: “This new operational hub in Grimsby will be a game changing industry first, raising the bar for the way we serve offshore wind farms.
“It will generate direct and indirect job opportunities in the Humber region, as well as opportunities for the local supply chain.
“It represents a massive vote of confidence to the UK offshore wind industry and confirms our commitment to the Humber region where by 2019 we expect to have invested around £6bn.”
The hub will be served by high-tech vessels, which will be developed by Ostensjo Rederi and designed by Rolls-Royce.
The vessels will be able to accommodate up to 60 crew and technicians while remaining at sea for long periods.
The first service operational vessel is scheduled to arrive in late 2017 and will support the operation and maintenance of Dong Energy’s Race Bank wind farm which is under construction off the Norfolk and Lincolnshire coastlines.
Additionally, the hub comprises a marine coordination centre, designed to provide 24/7 service to offshore operations across the UK and beyond.
Image: Illustration of service operational vessel which will be chartered to operate from the Dong energy’s new hub in the UK. Photo: courtesy of DONG Energy A/S.