Offshore windfarms
Government targets will require something like 35% electricity from renewable sources by 2020, and projects such as the Atlantic Array are essential to achieving them.
In 2008, Roger Tym & Partners was commissioned to assess the infrastructure needs and potential economic impact of the proposed “Atlantic Array” windfarm, in the Bristol Channel.The Atlantic Array is a planned 1500MW offshore wind farm, with the potential to add wave and tidal energy when or if the technology is available. It will comprise 350 turbines, generating enough power to serve the needs of one million households or 53% of the South West's needs.
Our work showed that the Atlantic Array project could potentially result in a total investment of £3.8bn. However, over £2bn of this investment is devoted to procurement and manufacture of turbines and other components (much of it likely to go overseas).
A total net additional regional employment impact of over 2000 jobs (FTEs) could result, with direct local GVA created annually as high as £358m – but dependant on managing very significant supply chain issues that affect local and regional economic benefits.
The report reviewed local infrastructure, particularly ports, harbours and adjacent construction sites, which would be needed to support the windfarm and maximise local economic benefits.
