Energy
As well as being a vital factor for business continuity and
everyday life, the energy sector makes an important contribution to
the region’s economy. It contributes around £5 billion, with
exports worth around £1.2 billion. Over 50,000 people are employed
in the energy business in the Northwest.
The region has unique strengths and skills in nuclear power
generation. There are around 23,000 people employed in
the sector in the Northwest - about half the
sector's total UK employment. All aspects of the nuclear
fuel cycle (enrichment, fabrication and reprocessing) are carried
out in the region and the vast majority of the UK’s nuclear
research capability is located in the Northwest.
The Agency co-ordinates the Northwest Energy Council. This
follows the model of the highly successful Northwest Science Council,
established by the NWDA to promote and develop the region’s science
base. Like the Science Council, the Energy Council consists
of high level private and public sector representatives, each with
a wealth of experience in the field.
The NWDA will continue to invest in projects such as the
Joule Centre for Energy
Research. Its official launch in 2006 marked the
creation of the Northwest’s first centre for the development of
sustainable energy technologies. Based at Manchester
University, the Joule Centre will pioneer smart technologies
for the home and industry and low-carbon technologies, including
wave, tidal and micro-hydro technologies.
The Agency also supports Renewables
Northwest, which aims to help shape the region’s energy
strategies and to bring renewable energy into the mainstream of
economic and regional development.