Grimsby’s industrial revolution

Grimsby currently holds the title of the UK’s largest offshore wind and maintenance supply base, providing nearly 3% of the UK’s electricity needs.

While the town suffered following the decline of the fishing industry, leading to high levels of deprivation, the renewable energy industry has begun to transform the local economy.

The industry already employs more than 12,000 people and is worth £1.2 billion per annum to Greater Lincolnshire. Planned private investment of £60 billion over the next 15 years has the potential to bring good jobs to local people if energy companies continue to invest directly into community skills development.

Beyond its commercial energy sector, Grimsby has a well-established community energy cooperative, focused on energy projects that benefit local communities.

The town sees being at the forefront of the renewable energy revolution as part of a new narrative, with Grimsby Town Football Club and myenergi launching the ‘Green Town’ campaign last year that celebrates this future. Grimsby provides a strong example to the region of the potential for both commercial and grassroots climate action to transform local economies and narratives, and bring jobs to where they are needed most.