Northumberland’s energy story is one of transformation, ambition and long-term vision. Once shaped by coal mining and heavy industry, the county has successfully reinvented itself as one of the UK’s most important centres for offshore wind, a journey that places Northumberland firmly among the pioneers of the sector.
At the heart of this story is the Port of Blyth, Northumberland’s deep-water port, a place that has played a defining role in offshore wind for more than two decades. In 2000, turbines were installed off the Northumberland coast in one of the UK’s first offshore wind projects, marking the beginning of a new chapter for the region. Since then, the port has grown into a key base for offshore wind construction, operations and maintenance, offering deep-water access, specialist infrastructure and a thriving energy supply chain. Today, with Investment Zone land available for companies looking to construct their own facility, Port of Blyth continues to attract businesses looking to be part of a dynamic and future-facing energy cluster.
Innovation and research have been central to Northumberland’s success. Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult (ORE Catapult) has established Blyth as a national centre for offshore wind innovation, testing and validation. Its facilities support the development of next-generation technologies, helping companies reduce risk, accelerate deployment and bring new solutions to market. With the addition of the Digital, Autonomous and Robotics Engineering (DARE) Centre and the Technology Development Centre (TDC) A brand new state-of-the-art primary technology development centre, Northumberland offers a research, development and support that can be found nowhere else in the world. By bridging the gap between research and commercial delivery, ORE Catapult has reinforced Northumberland’s reputation as a place where offshore wind innovation thrives.
Manufacturing is another key part of the region’s pioneering role. The arrival of JDR Cables in Cambois represents a major milestone in the UK’s offshore wind supply chain. The facility will manufacture high-voltage subsea cables critical to offshore wind farms, strengthening domestic capability while creating hundreds of skilled jobs locally. It is a powerful symbol of Northumberland’s journey from exporting coal to producing the cables that will power the clean-energy transition.
People and skills are at the centre of this transformation. The Energy Central Learning Hub provides dedicated education and training facilities to prepare local talent for careers in offshore renewables, advanced engineering and clean-energy operations. Working closely with employers and education providers, the hub helps ensure the workforce grows alongside the sector, supporting both existing businesses and new investors coming into the region. Energy Central Institute (ECI) is currently under construction in Blyth Town Centre, due to open in 2027. The ECI will deliver higher-level technical training, specialist research programmes and industry-aligned innovation facilities, helping to cement Blyth as a centre for offshore wind research and higher education.
Bringing all of this together is Energy Central, Northumberland’s offshore energy cluster partnership. Energy Central connects industry, innovation, skills and infrastructure, creating a collaborative environment where businesses can grow, invest and succeed. By aligning partners across the public and private sectors, the cluster strengthens Northumberland’s offer as a leading location for offshore wind development.
From coal to cables, Northumberland’s journey reflects a proud industrial heritage and a clear focus on the future. With a proven track record, world-class innovation assets, a growing skills pipeline and a collaborative energy cluster, Northumberland continues to lead the way and we are proud to be Pioneers in Offshore Wind.
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Rachel Ryder - Business Growth & Investment Manager at Business Northumberland