The skills and expertise in the East of England’s offshore windpower sector are being marketed to China.
Last week, a 12-person delegation of executives from China visited Great Yarmouth-based CLS Offshore and Sembmarine SLP.They also saw OrbisEnergy, Scroby Sands windfarm visitor centre and the Greater Gabbard windfarm land base and took part in a networking breakfast arranged by the East of England Energy Group (EEEGR).
Alan Highet, UKTI's international trade adviser, environmental and energy, said the visit intended to create openings for British companies to work in China, rather than the Chinese looking to invest in the UK. "It is also a region which seems to offer a unique spirit of cooperation and coordination between the businesses involved in the sector," he added.
Simon Thorne, CLS business delivery director, said they had been planning trips to China and were researching the market before they knew of the Chinese offshore wind delegation's visit. "But this proved the ideal chance to meet them face-to-face, outline our specific experience and skills - including work on the Thanet windfarm - and show them our quayside fabrication yard," he said.
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One delegation leader, Ms Zhu Li, from IT power, said the five-day study tour was the first official visit since the setting up of a Memorandum of Understanding between the two governments aimed at developing UK business opportunities to help the rapidly emerging windpower industry in China.
CLS managing director Scott McMillan said the prospect of working in China was just one of many global outlets which the company was exploring. Earlier this year he said it had a current order book of £20m which it aimed to double over the next two years.
Photo: The Chinese delegation at CLS Offshore with (front right) managing director Scott McMillan and (to his right) Alan Highet, UKTI, and Simon Thorne, CLS business delivery director.