We’re pleased to confirm the award of a multi-million-pound contract to construct the Aura Innovation Centre at Hessle’s Bridgehead Business Park for the University of Hull, which will mark more than £20m of projects we have delivered in the offshore wind energy sector.
The Aura Innovation Centre will be a purpose-built facility providing businesses with space to collaborate and innovate to deliver low-carbon energy and clean growth. Its aim is to foster innovation and research to address the real challenges faced by the offshore wind and low-carbon energy industries.
Our ventures into the offshore renewables sector began in 2014 when we delivered a new onshore operations base and warehouses for Dong Energy Power (UK) to service its Westermost Rough wind farm. Following this, we delivered five further projects for the same client, which has now rebranded as Ørsted, through both our Major and Minor works divisions on projects throughout the Humber Region. We were also commissioned to undertake a specialist project in the sector in Northern France earlier this year.
Hobson & Porter Managing Director Richard Hunter said: “We’re very excited to have been appointed as the main contractor of this landmark project. The project will be our eighth scheme in the offshore energy sector, which is remarkable considering we have never stepped foot offshore! This is a true reflection of the economic impact the sector is bringing to our region.
“The Aura Innovation Centre will play a huge role in strengthening the region’s reputation as a leader in offshore wind innovation, bringing together the major players in the industry to foster a collaborative and forward-thinking culture in a world-class research facility. But it will also demonstrate the fantastic opportunities available to land-based contractors looking to become involved in the offshore sector.
“The sector has a very exciting future in the Humber region and we want to play our part by working on schemes that contribute positively to this. We are a business which was established in the early 70’s, when the North Sea fishing industries played a huge part in the economic footprint of our area. This relatively new, fast-emerging market is testament to the hard work and collaboration of key decision makers in the region and we’re proud to be part of it.”
Construction of the Aura Innovation Centre is under way, and is expected to be completed next year.
