The development of the site is recognised as being of national economic importance and capable of making a major contribution to the Northern Way growth strategy. It is currently allocated for estuary and associated port related industrial uses, particularly:
- Chemical
- Petro-chemical
- Processing industry
- Renewable energy
One of the key aims for the area is to maximise on the opportunities available for further port expansion and new developments arising from the rapid growth of the bio-fuels industry and low carbon economy throughout the Yorkshire and Humber region.
Fast becoming an energy capital
The SHG is a key location for UK sustainable energy production. With its riverside location adjacent to a vast rural hinterland capable of producing large supplies of biomass feedstock, it makes the area attractive to the renewable energy sector.
The area is also the base for a truly world-class energy centre. It is home to two of the UK's largest oil refineries, owned by ConocoPhillips and Total UK, which collectively provide 27 per cent of the UK's refinery capacity. ConocoPhillips has recently completed the expansion of its Combined Heat and Power (CHP) Plant. The plant is now capable of producing 1.2GW of power making it one the largest and most energy efficient CHP's in the world.
In addition to three large gas-fired power stations operated by Centrica and Eon there are several smaller bio-mass power stations, with plans for a £600m investment from the Drax Group to build a biomass fuelled power plant.
Abengoa, the largest producer of bio-ethanol in Europe, has recently bought a site on the SHG with planning permission to develop one of the UK's largest bio-ethanol plants, producing over 400,000 litres of bio-ethanol.
The South Humber Gateway is geographically and technically well placed to serve the needs of the rapidly expanding offshore wind sector in terms of installation, servicing and future manufacturing and assembly operations.
More information
See the latest South Humber Gateway leaflet [PDF] (511K) for more information about the site.