Renewable energy experts have described Portland Port as perfectly positioned to become a future green energy hub at a conference.

More than 80 representatives from companies which develop and build offshore renewable energy sites were welcomed to the Portland Heights Hotel for the industry insight.

Renewable energy giants such as Eneco, which is currently working on building an offshore wind park off Dorset, explained what developers would want from a port and its supply network. 

Delegates were also told that Portland was well situated to take a prominent position in the race for dominance of the renewable energies market.

Portland Port’s commercial manager, Ian McQuade, said: “Clearly we see that there is a major strategic opportunity in the offshore renewables sector and our vision is for the port to be at the heart of future development.

“Our location gives us the perfect position to fulfil our vision of making Portland the key hub for offshore renewables in Southern England.

“We are able to offer opportunities both on land and water and we already have local businesses that can provide the necessary skills and expertise to support this growing market.

“The opportunities for local business to benefit from the development of an offshore renewables support operation at Portland Port are wide and varied, from technical engineering support to taxis.

“This conference has helped put Portland Port firmly on the map as wind and marine energy developers start to focus on their port requirements both for construction and for on-going operational and maintenance support.”

The ‘Ports, Gateway to Offshore Renewables’ conference was the first to be run by Portland Harbour Authority and renewable energy advice agency Regen SW.

A Crown Estate representative spoke about the development of offshore wind and marine energy throughout the UK, while companies involved in operating and supporting offshore renewable energy relayed their first-hand experience of the sector’s needs.

The conference was chaired by Regen SW’s head of renewables and supply, Johnny Gowdy, who said: “It is imperative that businesses in the South West seize the initiative and work together to break into renewables market so we can try to emulate what is happening off the west coast of Scotland.”

The director of Falmouth-based Mojo Maritime Ltd, Richard Parkinson, added: “I think Portland is an ideal facility for this kind of activity.

“The exciting thing is it’s one of the few places in the UK to have plans in place to deliver the kind of space developers will need.”

Exhibitors at the event included Portland Port Ltd, Regen SW, Global Marine Systems, Marine Designs Ltd, PRIMaRE, Pontoon Works, Apem Ltd and Gifford.

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