Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, how many jobs will be created by investment in the planned Rampion wind farm; and what steps she is taking to ensure that UK supply chains benefit from such investment.

The Department has not estimated how many jobs will be created by investment in the planned Rampion wind farm.

The EON press release on Rampion states that during the planned 3 year offshore construction period up to 300 jobs will be created and local vessels utilised, with 40 roles being based at the project management facility in Newhaven Port. The press release also states that a workforce of up to 100 is expected to be needed for the onshore cable route and around a further 40 to 60 people at the onshore substation during onshore construction. Once the wind farm is commissioned and fully operational, it is envisaged that up to 65 full time permanent jobs will be created at the operations and maintenance base.

The Department, together with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, are working closely with EON to maximise UK benefit and ensure that UK supply chain companies have the opportunity to compete for contracts that have yet to be awarded.