Did you know?
Ness Point in Lowestoft is home to one of the largest onshore wind turbines in the U.K. Named 'Gulliver' the turbine is capable of producing 2.75MW of electricity - enough to supply over 1500 homes a year.
Around 800 young people from local schools and colleges heard from The Crown Estate last week how the Round 3 offshore wind farm developments could change their lives.
Contract manager Ronnie Quinn, who is leading on skills needs for the East Anglia Array, told pupils and college students from the region that the emerging offshore wind industry will need some 50,000 to 70,000 new UK jobs over the next five to eight years if the Government’s targets and The Crown Estate’s ambitious plans for Round 3 are to be met.
The two-day visit on 24 and 25 June organised by urban regeneration company 1st East, included presentations at two high schools, Lynn Grove in Gorleston and The Denes in Lowestoft, and to engineering and construction students from Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft and City Colleges. Mr Quinn also spoke to business men and women at a Waveney Chamber of Commerce breakfast.
The presentations aimed to raise awareness among young people and local businesses of the possibilities that will become available over the next few years as a result of the Round 3 developments. Mr Quinn explained the industry and the many different roles that will be required - geologists, marine scientists, welders, mathematicians, physicists, shipping, engineers, architects, lawyers, to mention just a few.
“This is a strategically important time for the UK, both in terms of targets and longer term security of supply, and it simply will not happen unless we can attract young people to the industry,” said Mr Quinn.
“The young people of East Anglia, both in the schools and colleges, showed an awareness of offshore wind that was very impressive. Their relevant questions showed an acute interest in both the environment and in the opportunities that could open up to the local economy if these opportunities are exploited. This is hopefully the start of a long relationship with the local communities.”
Sally Erb, assistant head teacher at The Denes High School said: “Ronnie Quinn gave a very interesting and informative presentation to over 200 students from The Denes High School, Harris Middle school and Roman Hill middle school about the exciting changes that will be taking place and how they will affect our community in future years.
“With Round 3 having such a direct impact on our local community it is important for our young people, especially those who will be leaving school at the time the work is started, to gain knowledge about the breadth of career opportunities that will become available to them in future years. This will allow young people to think about their options within school and will assist them in a career in the renewable industry.”
Andrew Tink, business teacher at The Denes, added: “The talk built on the work we have been doing on renewable energy and informed the students about future career paths. It was very valuable and gave students time to reflect on their futures and how they could be involved in this exciting prospect.”
At Great Yarmouth College, Mark Bayley, head of sales and marketing, said: “It was a great opportunity for students from across the region to hear first-hand from The Crown Estate about the opportunities that the burgeoning renewable energy sector will bring. We were really pleased to be able to hold the event here at the college and I was impressed with the students’ insightful questions.”
