£4m for green schemes in NWDA action plan
FUNDING of £4m for green schemes in North West communities will be announced at a conference today.
Robert Hough, chairman of the North West Development Agency (NWDA), will address the region’s third climate change conference in Manchester this morning and set out a blueprint for the future.
The energy and environmental technologies sector is already worth around £6.5bn to the region’s economy, and employs over 50,000 people, he will stress.
By embracing new technologies, and investment in research, there are major opportunities for businesses in the low-carbon economy.
The conference includes the launch of the revised Northwest Climate Change Action Plan for 2010 – 2012.
The £4m investment for a Rural Carbon Challenge Fund through the Rural Development programme for England will fund at least five large-scale renewable projects in rural areas, providing the training and support to encourage social and micro-enterprises to develop renewable energy projects.
Mr Hough will say: “With a growing emphasis on the challenges and opportunities climate change presents, developing a low carbon economy will be essential in delivering our wider vision for the region’s future.
“The new Climate Change Action Plan provides a clear and robust framework to ensure the North West is in the best possible position to contribute to national carbon reduction targets, and increase resilience to climate impacts. Equally as important will be our ability to capitalise on the economic opportunities this brings.”
The new plan includes the region becoming a “leading exporter of low carbon technologies” – through the evolution of nuclear power.
“Construction of a nuclear power station in the region would see major investment, job creation and associated opportunities for local companies.
“There are currently plans by utility companies to construct 16,000 MW of new nuclear capacity in the UK by 2025, at an estimated cost of around £30bn.
“It is vital that the Northwest, with its distinct nuclear capability, gets a large share of this.”
This investment would be supported by investment in research and development at North West universities and in skills and training in Cumbria.
