WORKING AT HEIGHTS - Wind Energy Network

SPONSORS OF TYNE & TEES FEATURENorth Sea Supply Basebe better suited to emerging biomassshipments as UK coal fired powerstationsconvert to wood pellet and other biomassin line with the Renewable EnergyDirective.Long term strategic decisionThe £10m expansion programme cameas a result of a strategic decision morethan ten years ago to diversify andtarget more offshore related work, whichnow accounts for more than half of thecompany’s turnover – compared with just10 per cent five years ago.Gary Dawson, managing director of AVDawson, said that while the companywas offering increased support tooffshore wind energy, the investmentsmade by the firm were also of benefit toits traditional oil and gas markets clients.“While the UK has more offshore windenergy than the rest of the world, it stillonly represents 5.5 per cent of the UK’senergy supply,” he said.And added “There are greatopportunities in offshore wind buttraditional oil and gas still has a very bigfuture and our North Sea Supply Basecontinues to support that market as wellas our traditional, dry bulk clients.”Huge fabrication hallsDawson’s also boasts huge fabricationhalls – the largest on the River Teeswith a height of 45m – The halls are inconstant demand from fabricators of largeoffshore and on-shore modules, includingaccommodation and substations. Finishedmodules are invariably lifted or rolled ontovessels at the adjacent heavy lift load outquay only 80m from the hall doors.Added Gary: “We’re in a position tobecome the go-to logistics firm foranything related to offshore support andwind energy. Our customers workingwithin the offshore energy sector willonly increase as we continue to movetowards a 24-hour quayside operation.”AV Dawsonwww.av-dawson.comClick to view more info= Click to view videoCONTINUED...>www.windenergynetwork.co.uk59