A NEW training centre designed to build on the North East’s expertise in renewable energy has been officially opened.

The new building at the National Renewable Energy Centre (Narec), in Blyth, Northumberland, has been set up in a former terraced house which has been given a 21st century facelift.

Narec, which was set up in 2002 by the Government to give people special training on new energy saving technologies, started work a few months ago on the 19th century building.

As well as insulation, there are panels on the roof to turn solar pwer into hot water and electricity, a ground source heat pump to take over from expensive central heating systems and energy saving lights.

Narec chief executive Andrew Mill said: “The training centre is a great addition to our facilities. It is the final piece of the jigsaw. The house will be used give trainees hands-on practical experience of working with various low carbon and renewable energy systems”.

Individual traders, private companies and local authorities can all place key staff on training programmes from anywhere in the UK.

Already nine electricians from Newcastle City Council have been put through their paces to learn about turning the power of the sun into electricity.

Steve Caseley, commercial director of Narec said: “There are a lot of industries struggling at the moment, but there are huge opportunities for the UK to take up these technologies.”

Narec is planning new courses in energy saving and it now using a 27-metre tower to teach people who install offshore wind farms to work safely.