Hull is a world leader in wind technology.

Hull is a city in Yorkshire in the North of England. It sits on the Humber, an estuary on the North east coast that has attracted a number of companies that have helped make it a world leader in wind energy.

Hull — like many cities in the North of England — experienced a period of deindustrialisation from the 1970s onwards that led to a loss of jobs, economic prosperity and the resulting problems associated with it.

Yet Hull has achieved what many cities in the North East have not — which is a remarkable industry-led revolution in jobs, housing and the resulting economic headwinds that come with it.

It has become a world leader in wind energy, with two major employers based in Hull. The story begain with Siemens Gamesa’s construction of a wind turbine blade factory together with ABP or Associated British Ports. The £310 million project is said to have created over 2,000 jobs to the region, according to a study from Hull University.

Ørsted is the other major player, being behind many of the world’s largest wind farms and the operator of farms such as Hornsea One and the forthcoming Hornsea Two.

Last year it was reported that the factory would double in size, to help prepare for the construction of the next generation of larger wind turbine blades.

The port supplies blades to farms including the soon to be opened Hornsea Two, a wind farm planned for 2022 which upon completion will be the world’s largest wind farm, overtaking the existing Hornsea One and stretching to 462 square kilometres.

It will be able to generate over 1.3 gigawatts of power, with 165 Siemens Gamesa turbines operated by Ørsted.

As well as the two big players in the industry, smaller names in the supply chain also flocked to Hull as a result of the presence of the larger companies.

On the educational side of things the University of Hull has built a reputation for courses to help graduates interested in a career in the wind energy sector, with both undergraduate and postgraduate degree options.

Further afield the regeneration of the city has helped inspire a range of new hotels, restaurants and services catering to the new industry.

Region-wide Grimsby has also benefited from the booming wind power market, with its operations and maintenance hub in the Lincolnshire employing over 400 people.

A combination of industrial innovation and some clever thinking from local agencies and councils have helped propel the region towards the green revolution.