Huhne talks renewables at Wearside energy debate

Key influencers within the North East’s buoyant energy sector supply chain came together to debate the future of the industry at a major event on Wearside recently.

The Energy Debate at the Stadium of Light in Sunderland saw experts from the industry and former Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change Chris Huhne discuss how to secure a more balanced energy future.

Square One Law joined forces with Brewin Dolphin, the NECC, NOF Energy and The Journal to debate the key issues facing the sector, including ensuring a resilient supply of energy from different sources and enabling finance to be available for innovation.

The event had two panels of industry experts followed by a lively question and answer session with Chris Huhne.

Panellists outlined the positive aspects of a thriving North East supply chain supporting the Tier One energy companies that operate throughout Europe.

James Bryce, parter at Square One Law said: “The region enjoys a rich seam of resources in the energy sector from offshore wind to coal, energy from waste, carbon capture and storage, coal gasification, biomass, biofuels and solar power.”

Chris Huhne, who is now a leading voice in the biomass energy sector as European chairman of Zilkha Biomass Energy, talked about the huge wealth of resources available to the UK.

He said we should, as a nation, embrace renewables in order to bring energy costs down: “Important elements are nuclear and renewables as well as carbon capture and storage.

“There is an enormous potential saving in improving home insulation. At present, it actually costs more to heat homes in the UK than it does in Sweden, but things are moving in the right direction. The forecast for energy demand is that it is coming down and is on the right track.”

Mr Huhne added: “Green investment has been booming in the UK, with renewable electricity generation doubling and £31 billion of renewable energy investment announced since 2010.

“It is therefore vitally important that the region’s businesses understand the exciting opportunities that will become available as the UK secures its energy future.”

George Rafferty, chief executive of NOF Energy, said: “The oil and gas industry has, for decades, dominated the North East economy with contracts from the global energy industry being secured thanks to the region’s innovation, expertise and the availability of a skilled workforce.”

James Ramsbotham, chairman of the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC), said: “A balanced energy future embracing hydrocarbons, nuclear and renewables is vitally important.

“The debate is often about the power companies and about consumer bills, however we need it to be also about the generation and transmission of power and how the North East can work better in that capacity.”

Other speakers included Neil Etherington of Able UK, Jim Cardwell of Northern Powergrid, James Bryce of Square One Law, Elaine Coverley of Brewin Dolphin and Dermot Roddy of Five-Quarter.

James Bryce added: “The Energy Debate provided the ideal platform for business and industry leaders to get to grips with key energy issues.

“Our region has a vast array of energy sources and a strong supply chain network, so it is vital that we utilise these opportunities to secure our energy future. We have all of the ingredients to cater for growth in this sector, including our location, port infrastructure and availability of brownfield sites.”