Nicholas Craig column

Jun 22 2007 By Nicholas Craig, The Journal

I'm delighted the North-East is bidding to become a green energy capital. It's even better to hear of the launch of the Evopod - a tidal turbine prototype created by a North Shields company, and TidEl, produced at Wallsend.

Wind farms, however, leave me cold. If we have to have them, put them out at sea, alongside Evopod and TidEL. Our green and pleasant land is not the place for green energy in the form of giant metal propellers.

The cheap and not-so-cheerful option provided by wind farms is now being challenged by tidal power that could deliver more reliably, and detract less from our landscape.

The North-East could easily be the green capital of the country. We are already admired for the extraordinary countryside and coastline that rolls over hundreds of unspoilt, unbeatable miles.

Think of the wonderful sight of an aerial view along the length of Hadrian's Wall, swooping up and down 73 miles of lush green landscape.

Add to that the brainpower of alternative energy producers, creating powerful ways in which to harness energy from the sea and waves, with the co-ordinating strength of NaREC in Blyth driving forward the projects, and we have a strong bid for national excellence.

The region is now one of the shortlisted five in the UK to host the Energy Technologies Institute, which would spearhead national research in clean energy development.

We must be a strong contender, with three strong universities and two centres of excellence forming the North-East consortium.

Clean, sustainable energy sources are more important than ever. This region led the way in fossil fuels.

It has the expertise and will to lead again with green energy such as solar and tidal power, and biofuels.

Instead of bending to the will of opencast coal companies, or wind farm producers, our local authorities should think first of our environment, health and long-term economic prosperity.

Clean energy is much more likely to create the employment opportunities the region requires for the future. The North-East's green region will attract tourists and investment, research and development. It is a positive, pioneering option - especially if we can drive forward tidal power to dim the unwelcome prospect of huge wind farms striding along our landscape.

Nicholas Craig is a partner at Watson Burton law firm.