• Thu. Mar 28th, 2024

North East Connected

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North East renewables could soon power a million refrigerators

The North East could soon have enough renewable energy capacity to power more than one million refrigerators a year, research by Barton Willmore has shown.

Analysis of the number of renewable energy schemes already operating in the region – and those yet to be built – shows the North East is on the cusp of generating 1,000 megawatts of renewable energy.

Experts at planning and design consultancy Barton Willmore analysed data which shows that while the North East lags behind other regions in the total number of schemes, it does compete on the percentage of operational schemes.

Nearly half of North East schemes are operational, compared with 44 per cent in Yorkshire and the Humber.

James Hall, partner at Barton Willmore, explained: “Our research shows the North East will soon have 1,000 megawatts of renewable capacity – enough to power more than 300,000 homes each year.

“This is great progress, but we must be ambitious for the region – which could be providing so much more.

“Nationally we are looking at target of 20% energy from renewable sources, by 2020.

“The North East could be leading the field towards this target with its wealth of natural assets – including solar, wind, sea and biomass. We have recently secured consents for three solar farms in Tees Valley.

“Using their strategic economic plans, the North East LEP and Tees Valley Combined Authority have led the charge to promote renewables, but we also need to make sure local planning authorities have the tools to make sure developers can capitalise – where appropriate – on these assets.”

Currently the region has around 800 megawatts of operational capacity.

Barton Willmore’s research shows the North East sits behind the East Midlands and the East of England, but ahead of Yorkshire and the Humber with just 313 megawatts of capacity.

Two key schemes in the North East – the recently completed Port Clarence biomass facility operated by Stobart Energy and the proposed Tees Renewable Energy Plant – will see the region get 1,143 megawatts of capacity.

James added: “As a region we need to put pressure on the Government to develop policy that gives confidence to renewable energy investors.

“Development costs have fallen dramatically and improvements in technology – including wind and solar – mean there is now a significant opportunity to capitalise on renewables’ benefits.”