A FORMER senior Government minister is spearheading a drive to help North-East engineering firms build their industry presence by securing work in a multi-billion pound energy market.

Sir Michael Fallon is preparing a report that will assess the impact of the Government’s policy towards local content on domestic wind farms.

The former Darlington MP, who stood down as Defence Secretary last year, has been commissioned by Wilton Engineering, based in Port Clarence, near Middlesbrough.

Wilton previously picked up a deal to supply parts for Ørsted’s massive Hornsea Project One wind farm, off the East coast, and Sir Michael’s report, provisionally titled Winning Locally, will look at such contracts, the business’ supply chain and Government support for the sector.

It will also assess the successes of firms locally, such as Offshore Structures (Britain), which itself is supplying parts to Hornsea Project One from its base in Haverton Hill, near Billingham, and Darlington-based DeepOcean, which last month revealed it will plough an underwater route to fit a Baltic Sea gas pipeline.

A study published in 2017 by industry body Renewable UK suggested 48 per cent of the spending on planning, building and running domestic offshore projects goes to UK companies.

However, Sir Michael’s report will look at practices that could enable the sector to achieve a 2020 target of sourcing 50 per cent of its work in Britain.

Sir Michael, a former Energy Minister, said: “The offshore wind industry is growing quickly and with £11.5bn of investment in new UK offshore wind farms in the pipeline, it is vital that local content is fully incorporated into the supply chain.

“My report aims to consider best practice and assess any obstacles that need to be overcome.”

Sir Michael will also consider the impact of awarding offshore wind farm licences on the wider North-East economy and is inviting interested parties to make contact via Wilton Engineering should they have relevant points for submission.

Bill Scott, Wilton chief executive, added: “As a former North-East MP and Energy Minister, Sir Michael is in a unique position to assess the way the region’s manufacturing businesses are interacting with the wider supply chain.

“His report will help us all ensure we deliver the wider economic benefits from the growth of offshore wind in terms of jobs and investment.

“Although our firm has commissioned this report, we want it to support the North-East supply chain.”

Wilton previously secured a deal to supply 20 transition pieces for Hornsea One, which sit upon turbine monopiles and include platforms, boat landing areas and cable housing.