Call of the renewables

Jan 8 2008 by Sue Scott, Evening Gazette

MORE THAN £4bn of investment is heading for the renewable energy and recycling industries over the next few years, holding out the prospect of a vibrant new industrial base emerging in the Tees Valley.

The Environment and Energy Fair 2008 - which takes place at the Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough, on Thursday, January 31 and Friday, February 1 - showcases the two sectors. And, through the accompanying Environmental Awards and dinner, which this year is sponsored by the pan-European heating and hot water solutions provider, the Baxi Group, it also provides a unique opportunity for innovators, entrepreneurs and small businesses to share a platform with the multinational players who are changing the industrial landscape.

Already, hundreds of millions of pounds have been pumped into the local economy by green projects, including the Biofuel Corporation’s Billingham plant - the largest of its kind in Europe.

The Ensus bioethanol plant, currently under construction at Wilton, is the first commercial scale plant in the country, while Sembcorps’ Wilton 10 is the first large-scale wood burning power plant, built alongside UK Wood Recycling, already the country’s largest wood recycling facility.

Centrica and Progressive Energy have commenced the design and development phase of the £1bn clean coal power station with carbon capture and storage with huge implications for the global energy industries.

The Tees Valley is a leader in the development of the hydrogen economy and South Tees Eco Park, which recently received planning permission for Phase 1, will be the base for Newcastle-based Graphite Resources’ revolutionary steam autoclave technology, which could revolutionise the way we handle domestic and business waste.

The Environment and Energy Fair - developed by Paul Jackson, commerce manager with Renew Tees Valley - now includes seven award categories reflecting the range and scope of the individuals and organisations who are leading the next industrial revolution. And there is still time to enter.

The award categories are:

Renewable energy

Recycling

Personal contribution to the environmental sector

Product of the year

Innovation

Raising environmental awareness

Education/awareness training

There is still time to nominate your own or another organisation or individual for an Award before the Friday, 11 January deadline.

Further information and application forms are at www.energyandenvironmentfair.co.uk