Member Article
Low Carbon Industry set for further growth
The North East low carbon industry has received a boost after a new company was developped to oversee the growth of the sector.
Zero Carbon Futures, set up by Gateshead College, will deliver a range of local and national programmes designed to advance the regions reputation as a European leader in the production of low carbon vehicles.
The new organisation will take over some of the responsibility for this sector previously held by One North East, and will now begin to work with the Local Enterprise Partnerships and a range of local stakeholders on the new agenda.
Zero Carbon Futures will also compliment the College’s successful Regional Growth Fund bid for £6.2 million, which will create 5000 jobs, including 1500 apprenticeships, in the next 10 years.
Mick Brophy, Managing Director of Business, Development and Innovation at Gateshead
College, said: “Gateshead College is renowned globally as a leading provider of training and
skills for the low carbon vehicle industry.
“The creation of Zero Carbon Futures will ensure that the North East also remains at the
forefront in the development and manufacture of all-electric and low carbon vehicles, along with
providing the training and skills needed for this new industry’s workforce.”
The company, which opened on December 1st will be responsible for overseeing the conversion of the former Nissan test track, into the North of England’s first Performance Track, which will be the last element of the region’s comprehensive offering to the low carbon sector.
Zero Carbon Futures will also lead the Charge Your Car project, which aims to install over 1,000 electric vehicle projects across the region by 2013 to encourage the adoption of EVs.
Zero Carbon Futures is led by Dr Colin Herron who is a Visiting Professor of Engineering at
Sunderland University and was a key member of the RDA’s low carbon vehicle team.
Dr Herron said: “One North East helped the region take huge strides in the development of a
thriving low carbon vehicle economy. Zero Carbon Futures and the Charge your Car project will
build on this success and firmly cement North East England’s growing reputation in this sector
as the place to do business.“
This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .