The UK energy Minister Charles Hendry was welcomed by DONG Energy’s head of UK Wind Power Christian T. Skakkebæk at Belfast Harbour this week.

The harbour is now being turned into a bespoke offshore wind construction facility. DONG Energy signed a letter of intent to lease the facility at the start of next year, for the West of Duddon Sands project in the Irish Sea.

Mr Hendry called the site a significant development which reinforces the confidence in the UK offshore wind sector and recognises Belfast's strategic importance for those wind farms to the west of Britain.

He said: “It was really good to see the progress made. This is an outstanding facility which will help attract investment and a fast roll out of the offshore wind programme.”

Pictured L-R:  Roy Adair, CEO Belfast Harbour,  Charlie Jordan, Project Manager, ScottishPower Renewables, Keith Anderson, CEO, ScottishPower Renewables, Christian Skakkebaek, VP, DONG UK.

Hendry was in Belfast to mark the beginning of Clean Energy Week. The visit began with a roundtable discussion involving leading figures from Northern Ireland's renewable energy sector. Issues discussed included barriers to investment, green skills, and the future of the Harbour.

After lunch the Minister was given a tour of the harbour to see DONG Energy & Scottish Power Renewables' £50 million redevelopment in progress. The site is scheduled for completion in October 2012.