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Harbour 'ideal' for windfarm support - COMMENT ON THIS STORY
SCARBOROUGH harbour could become a major port for the windfarm industry, according to a new report.
Members of Scarborough Council's cabinet heard Scarborough and Whitby were "ideally placed" to provide support to the industry.
As well as an offshore windfarm off Hornsea there are also plans to develop the Dogger Bank and the Humber Gateway areas of the North Sea.
Whitby Harbour is the closest to the proposed development at Dogger Bank – between 125km and 195km offshore, which covers an area of approaching 8,660 square metres – which would be capable of producing 10 per cent of the total projected UK electricity needs.
Cllr Peter Popple, the portfolio holder for harbours and land, said the council needed to be in at the start.
He said: "It will require a supply chain to support the industry. Whitby is ideally placed and Scarborough Harbour can be utilised."
John Riby, the council's head of technical services, added that a consortium was welcoming submissions and it had said Scarborough and Whitby were well placed to serve the industry.
He said: "We've agreed with them that they will facilitate an open day in June or July in Whitby to come and see what Scarborough and Whitby has to offer. That's their role as a partner of Yorkshire Forward."
Mr Riby added that, as well as energy companies, the council would be encouraging other companies to come to the area if the opportunities were suitable.
According to the report before the cabinet the industry would need a supply chain capable of delivering infrastructure support and the Scarborough area has the advantage of local knowledge and its location.
Cllr Derek Bastiman said that, from a regeneration point of view, he wholeheartedly supported the proposal.
"I think it's excellent news for the borough," he added.
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Weather for Scarborough
Friday 10 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -6 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 21 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to -1 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
