Cooperation among the region's businesses is vital to tackle the transition to clean energy, an industry leader has urged.
This week's Larger Business Summit, hosted by the North East England Chamber of Commerce in Gateshead, featured talks on business energy use as well as the future of energy in the North East. And Guido Frenken, chief growth and innovation officer at Stockton-based energy transition specialist px Energy Solutions said collaboration was needed to make progress.
He said: "I was delighted to have the opportunity to speak about our experience of decarbonisation and energy transition at NEECC’s Larger Business Summit, at a time when energy is such a key focus for every organisation. These focused events organised by the Chamber are an important way to bring regional businesses from multiple sectors together where they can gain new knowledge and share experiences and initiate new cooperations to make progress in the energy transition."
Read more: North East business confidence remains low but bucks national falling trend
The conference brought together senior leaders from medium and large North East-based businesses from a variety of sectors. As well as panel sessions offering practical tips for businesses on energy usage, attendees were also heard from Sara Walker, professor of energy at Newcastle University and director at The Centre for Energy.
She said: “The North East region’s mining, engineering and shipbuilding heritage has created a cultural fabric which is intrinsically linked with the energy industry, and an appetite for innovation with world leading businesses and universities on our doorstep. Decarbonisation of power, of heat, and of transport, is needed. It is vital that we grow the low carbon and renewable energy economy, to create more and better jobs for the region. By hosting this event, the Chamber enables regional businesses to hear from a range of experts on this vital topic of energy. It couldn’t be more topical as energy prices soar."
The speakers' comments tie in with those made earlier this year by North East offshore wind cluster Energi Coast concerning its part of the renewable energy mix. In the summer, following Government allocation of five offshore wind projects, the organisation's chair said the announcement should be a "catalyst" for greater collaboration between developers, contractors and the supply chain.
At the time, he said: "The track record of North East England’s cluster of innovation-driven supply chain companies in the industry puts this region in the perfect position to be a major contributor to the next generation of offshore wind. The investments taking place here in infrastructure, talent and technology will ensure that future AR4 developments can maximise on the capabilities of our cluster."
READ NEXT:
Battery startup Britishvolt ditches plans for second plant in North America
Tyneside wind turbine installer GO Wind eyes European growth
Major fertiliser deal sees Port of Sunderland safeguard UK food supply
North East deals of the week: key acquisitions, contracts and investments
- Read more North East business news
