MP hopes green energy drive can bring ‘industrial jobs’ back to the North East

Emma Foody said green tech would be vital to support the country’s energy security amid ongoing international pressure due to the wars in Ukraine and Iran.

The North East has become something of an epicentre for green energy in the UK, with offshore wind in particular booming in areas such as Blyth.

In March, the Crown Estate confirmed plans to lease new seabed sites in the North Sea for wind farms in a move that could bring up to six gigawatts of offshore wind capacity – enough to power almost a quarter of the homes in England.

Speaking in Parliament, Ms Foody said: “We have been repeatedly at the mercy of repeated international crises, underlining why we must secure energy independence to protect people here and across the country. Previous governments didn’t move quickly enough, and we’re paying the price.

“The region can lead the way to clean renewable energy and energy security. New seabed sites off our coast can unlock at least six gigawatts of offshore capacity. That’s billions of pounds of investment coming to our region, creating jobs and opportunities.

“In my constituency, the West Hartford Business Park, with support from Arlington and the Port of Blyth, will unlock about 2,000 jobs and more than £400 million of local investment.

“Energy Central Campus at Blyth and the Energy Academy in Wallsend are training a new generation of skilled workers for the industries of the future.”

Blyth is also home to key training facilities at the Energy Central Campus which will provide the necessary workforce for the industry, along with cutting-edge factories making the required cables for offshore wind.

And in Wallsend, local firm Smulders is building a huge steel jacket for Scottish Power’s East Anglia TWO offshore windfarm, under a contract worth more than £60 million, which will provide the foundation for a massive offshore high-voltage substation.

It is thought the area off the North East Coast has the potential to provide up to 50% of the electricity for the entire country when fully developed. Employment in the sector forms a key part of North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ plan for Green jobs, which aims to create 25,000 new jobs in clean energy, skills and transport over the next decade.

Following her speech, Ms Foody added: “The North East powered the last industrial revolution through our mines and shipyards, but now we have the chance to lead the world in clean, green jobs and investment. Investing in clean energy brings good industrial jobs back to the North East, provides skills and training for our communities and further opportunities through the supply chain.

“Our coast and rivers are uniquely placed to take advantage of this opportunity and this government is boosting that opportunity for the North East.”