Wind turbine jobs 'are chance of a lifetime': MPs back £80m plant
Now city leaders have ramped-up their bid to bring an £80m wind turbine plant to Hull.
Hull MPs Alan Johnson, Diana Johnson and Karl Turner say it is vital the city does not miss out on the opportunity of a generation.
The politicians have written to the German giant Siemens – market leaders in the production of wind turners – requesting a meeting to spell out the benefits of Hull.
It is believed Hull, along with Teeside and Sunderland, are on a shortlist of locations currently being considered.
As well as 700 manufacturing jobs, Siemens says that up to 1,500 supply chain jobs could be created.
The Mail understands the possibility of filling in part of Alexandra Dock in east Hull to accommodate the new plant and the necessary servicing areas around it is being actively explored.
But there are fears the decision will hinge on a pledge by the last Labour Government to award £60 million to upgrade the port to cope with building the massive turbines.
The city's MPs wish to discuss with Siemens ways of lobbying the Government to release the cash.
They are also set to meet with Business Secretary Vince Cable to discuss the issue in the autumn.
The fund is under review as the Conservative-Lib Dem coalition seeks to tackle the £156 billion Budget deficit.
Mr Johnson, MP for Hull west and Hessle, said: "Having talked to all the parties involved, we now want to talk to Siemens themselves to see what the position is.
"This is the biggest chance in my lifetime for a Humber development that will transform the economy and I want to make sure that we take full advantage of this huge opportunity in the North Sea."
Hull and the wider Humber region is in an ideal location to capitalise on the boom in off-shore wind farms – as its coastline is just 12 steaming miles away from where the turbines will be erected.
It has been claimed that any development of the renewable energy sector could create up to 20,000 jobs for the region in the coming years.
The South Humber Gateway project, which includes plans for a £100 million deep-water port being developed by Able UK, is likely to form part of any bid by the region to establish itself as the renewable energy capital of the UK.
Mr Johnson said: "The three MPs want to talk to Siemens about what we can do to help because the firm is already looking at sites in the UK and we want to make sure they choose the Humber."
Hull east MP Mr Turner said: "We are talking about the potential for 20,000 new jobs, which are not minimum wage jobs.
"They are skilled jobs that will provide continuous, sustainable employment as well as making this a landmark area for green technology."
Ms Johnson, the Hull north MP, added: "Hull's three MPs are keen to work with Siemans and others to bring investment in green energy jobs to Hull and the Humber."
Richard Kendall, policy executive for Hull and Humber Chamber of Commerce, said: "This area is the best place in the country for this sort of development.
"We have got the geography, the resources and the skills.
"It could potentially have a large impact in the whole of the Humber area and even further than that. We are talking about thousands of jobs.
"This area has the potential to be the European leader in this, which could be huge.
"We need to do everything we can to encourage companies like Siemens to come here."
City council leader Carl Minns has confirmed the authority is in discussion with Siemens about the potential development.
He said: "As well as creating hundreds of jobs, it will be a real boost to the local economy because of the cash people will have to spend.
"The council has been working closely with ABP and anything the MPs can do to support that is welcome."
Matt Jukes, port director for Associated British Ports in Hull, said the port already has a berth that could be converted for the development in a "short time scale".
He said: "This is a very exciting and significant opportunity for us and the location of Hull is the real ace up our sleeves.
"We have the potential for pretty much a perfect facility and it is attracting a lot of interest with companies involved in renewable energy."
Siemens was unavailable for comment.
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