Westminster approval for MoU as Foreign Secretary hears of Humber – Norway connection

Humber Marine and Renewables’ recently struck international partnership has been heralded in the House of Commons.

Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn raised the summer development with Norwegian Offshore Wind with Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, who has recently moved from the energy brief to the international role. 

And the fellow Labour MP bridged the transition perfectly for his first Oral Questions to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, immediately ahead of new Prime Minister Andy Burnham’s maiden speech to parliament.

On her feet in the Chamber, Ms Onn said: “The Humber generates 20 per cent of our electricity and is critical to delivering UK energy security. We have to work with our international allies to build a stronger framework of the friendly, to protect all of our critical infrastructure. 

“The Humber Marine and Renewables and Norwegian Offshore Wind MoU was a really good example of collaboration, which will keep the turbines turning. Has he had any discussions with allied partners to protect and grow clean energy projects, to improve collaboration, to better support global energy security?”

Acknowledging the work on the Humber, Mr Miliband – who visited several times in his two stints as Energy Secretary and provided a keynote speech via video for Humber Marine and Renewables’ Offshore Wind Connections 2025 conference and exhibition - said: “If I may say, my honourable friend - and I used to say this at DESNZ questions - is an absolutely brilliant advocate on these issues, somebody with huge expertise before she came into the House on these questions. And I can assure her that as part of the work that we are doing in alliance with my honourable friend the Energy Secretary, we will be working with other countries on these questions. What we have to do is we have to tackle the problem of emissions, and we also have to help countries adapt. And both are crucial.”

The agreement between Humber Marine and Renewables and Norwegian Offshore Wind was struck at Renewable UK’s Global Offshore Wind conference and exhibition in Manchester in June, with Ms Onn having previously served as deputy chief executive of the national body.

The highlighting of the partnership has been welcomed by Humber Marine and Renewables. Vice chair, Camilla Carlbom-Flinn, who signed the MoU with Alfred Risan, Norwegian Offshore Wind’s UK working group leader, said: “It is encouraging our work this year has gone right to the heart of UK politics.

“The intention to enhance business opportunities between the two nations is a key element of the MoU with Norwegian Offshore Wind. We have so much in common, and in particular, there is huge interest in the development of offshore wind in Norway, and the potential to learn and support other business and industries on both sides of the North Sea.”

The platform came as Humber Marine and Renewables and Norwegian Offshore Wind prepare to host a joint webinar on UK opportunity.

Images: 

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband and Grimsby and Cleethorpes MP Melanie Onn, who brought up the MoU with Norwegian Offshore Wind in the House of Commons. Pictures: (c) House of Commons / Roger Harris.

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