Creating jobs and saving the planet

Apr 16 2009 by Stewart Watkins, The Journal

WE FACE two severe threats at the moment: one short term and one long term.

The short-term threat is that of prolonged recession, or even depression, while the longer term threat is that of global warming.

I believe we have an opportunity to address both these issues, at least partially and practically.

The US has just announced plans to invest US$3.2bn in energy efficiency and conservation projects as part of President Obama’s American Recovery and Reinvestment Act.

It would be a good thing if our own government similarly used some of the resources earmarked for a fiscal stimulus to fund a capital investment programme in renewable energy in the UK, which would have the dual effect of creating jobs and fighting global warming.

And let’s be honest and admit to a large degree of self interest, because such a programme would dispropor- tionately benefit the North East.

We have strengths in the field of renewable energy which other regions of the UK, and even Europe, do not have. We have the New and Renewable Energy Centre, NaREC, a national resource centred at Blyth, which has unrivalled test facilities and supports ground-breaking work.

We also have the infrastructure and heritage to make the region a centre for the manufacture of wind turbines and we have world class universities doing internationally significant research into renewable energy.

In the field of photovoltaics – converting the sun’s energy into electricity – Romag, based in Consett is successfully exploiting the technology and here again NaREC is supporting cutting edge developments. On Teesside we have the process industries and storage facilities to exploit the growing market for biofuels, reflected by Ensus’ decision to open Europe’s largest bioenthanol plant at Wilton. Teesside also produces about 60% of the UK’s hydrogen, regarded as the renewable energy of the future.

We also have a commanding position when it comes to some of the older technologies. Indeed, if we look at the oldest form of renewable energy of all – biomass, and more particularly wood – we can point to more than 100,000 hectares of forest cover in this region and boast of our status as England’s biggest timber producer.

With judicious investment in the right science, we could create jobs, build a whole new industry – and, help save the planet.

Stewart Watkins is managing director of County Durham Development Company, which is driving the development of NETPark and NETPark Net.