We invest in the future of the local communities where we construct and operate our offshore wind farms by developing skills, creating job opportunities, and growing the supply chain – all while ensuring positive impacts on nature.
We create thousands of jobs during the construction phase of our projects, as well as long-term, skilled work in the UK coastal towns where we base our operations – such as Barrow and Grimsby.
We create thousands of jobs during the construction phase of our projects, as well as long-term, skilled work in the UK coastal towns where we base our operations – such as Barrow and Grimsby.
Rejuvenating coastal communities
Once the world’s largest fishing port, Grimsby experienced a downturn as its main economic engine – the fishing industry – receded. Working with industry, the coastal town has developed a new vision focused on offshore wind and the renewable energy sector.
Since we opened our office at the port of Grimsby in 2014, we have invested over £14 million in building our East Coast Hub. There are currently over 600 people working in long-term, high-skilled jobs out of Grimsby, our largest Operations Hub in the UK, and we expect that number to grow. Our employees are part of the local community – 74% of our workforce come from within a one-hour commute to site.
Click on the video below to see how the green energy transition is transforming Grimsby.
Investing in the future
In the Humber region, where our East Coast Hub is based, we have invested more than £45 million directly into the local community, education, and skills development.
That includes a £1 million donation to Grimsby’s Horizon Youth Zone, a dedicated facility for 8-19-year-olds, or up to 25 for those with additional needs, that will offer long-term opportunities to learn and develop skills through positive activities and support from peers, youth workers and partner organisations.
With construction on the Youth Zone underway, we look forward to it becoming place that helps boost the aspirations of local young people, including those who wish to pursue a career in offshore wind and tackle climate change right on their doorstep.
Supporters and young people celebrate the start of Horizon Youth Zone construction
Photo credit: The Benjamin Foundation
Community Benefit Funds
We invest in the future of all the local communities where we construct and operate our projects through our Community Benefit Funds.
Our three Community Benefit Funds — Burbo Bank Extension Community Fund, East Coast Community Fund and Walney Extension Community Fund — have so far awarded over £9.5 million to more than 650 local social & environmental projects in UK.
From organisations that support nature and public open space projects, to mental health and sports and recreation groups, our grants provide tangible benefits to the local communities where we work.
Developing our future work force through apprenticeships and education
We are committed to developing people with the right skills to meet the UK’s ambitious target for 50 GW of offshore wind by 2030.
We have partnered with the Grimsby Institute and Furness College to offer a wind turbine technician apprenticeship programme on the East and West Coasts since 2017. So far, we’ve had 100% retention, with all the apprentices who have successfully completed the three-year programme becoming full-time Ørsted employees.
We also encourage the study of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) in schools local to our wind farms through our partnerships with two University Technical Colleges in the Humber region – Ron Dearing UTC in in Hull and Engineering UTC Northern Lincolnshire in Scunthorpe.
In addition, we have educational partnerships with Teach First and the social enterprise Stemettes.®
Watch the video below to see how our offshore wind farms are building a future for Grimsby’s next generation.
Protecting our natural environment
As the world’s leading offshore wind developer, we’ve made tackling climate change core to our business through the deployment of green energy solutions.
We’re also determined to leave nature in a better state than we found it. And that starts locally.
In the Humber Estuary, we’ve teamed up with Yorkshire Wildlife Trust and Lincolnshire Wildlife Trust on a seascape restoration project called the Wilder Humber. By restoring seagrass and salt marsh and introducing half a million native oysters, we aim to improve the health and resilience of the estuary’s ecosystem.
Leading the way from the UK
With all of these projects, our ambition is to help foster thriving communities that can share the benefits of the green energy transition.
We’re working with our partners, our suppliers, our people, our communities, and the government to make the UK a global leader of renewable energy and the blue print for how to make it work for people and nature.
Together we can develop new energy systems for the future, invest in communities, build skills, and create jobs all while ensuring positive impacts on nature.
