Project to reduce carbon footprint
Jul 8 2008 by Peter McCusker, The Journal
THE North East is set to consolidate its role as a leader in the development of low carbon energy and fuel cell technology.
Regional development agency One NorthEast has funded the CPI (Centre for Process Innovation) to lead North East Energy 2015 (NEE 2015), a new project aimed at generating over £80m of investment over the next seven years.
Launched with £432,000 of Single Programme funding from One NorthEast, NEE 2015 will work with private companies and public bodies to create large scale activities which will reduce the region’s carbon footprint and encourage people to be more energy efficient.
The activities will focus on chemical and process industry applications, including fuel cells, fuelling waste utilisation and innovation combinations of existing technologies.
The project is targeted at attracting major investment by private sector companies nationally and internationally with a number of large scale projects expected to be worth in excess of £10m each.
Joanne Glendinning, process senior specialist adviser at One NorthEast, said: “This approval of funding for the North East Energy 2015 project provides a massive boost for an industry which is very much establishing itself here in North East England.
“With the launch of it, we’re confirming our commitment to low carbon energy technologies and ensuring this region is at the cutting-edge of its development.
“This will in turn raise our profile nationally and internationally, ensuring continued investment and job creation.”
Dr Graham Hillier, director of Low Carbon Energy at CPI, said: “CPI and One NorthEast believe that this region has all the skills, characteristics and sites to act as a major location for the demonstration and deployment of low carbon technologies.
“CPI is becoming a national centre for innovation in the processing sector and low carbon energy is central to this vision to help stimulate positive change for the future of the sector.”
