North East to lead the way on renewable energy

4.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 19th May 2008

Lib Dem Energy Spokesperson in the European Parliament, and MEP for the North East Fiona Hall, yesterday hosted a top level discussion on renewable energy with experts from the North East region, including representatives from Tees based company ENSUS, Northumbria University, Hexham based company Econnect, the National Farmers Union and North East England.

The round table talks, held at the New and Renewable Energy Centre (NaREC) in Blyth was a unique opportunity to discuss the European Parliament's report on the draft Renewable Energy Directive, with both Fiona, who is leading the negotiations for the ALDE (Liberal and Democrat ) political group, and with the writer of the report, Luxembourg MEP Claude Turmes.

The European Directive proposes that, overall, 20% of EU energy should come from renewable sources by 2020, with a binding target of 15% for the UK. The UK's share of energy from renewable sources was just 1.3% in 2005 (the third worst in Europe) despite having an abundance of natural resources and scientific and technological expertise in the field of renewable energy.

Those present at the event recognised the benefits that the EU Directive could bring to North East England, which is considered a pioneer region for research and utilisation of renewable energy technologies. Economic development, including in rural areas, export opportunities and "green collar" jobs, plus a positive effect on climate change, would all flow from the expansion of renewable industries in the region.

Delighted by the success of the day, Fiona Hall MEP said:

"This meeting has been an important forum which has enabled debate and discussion between experts in the field and between industry and politicians.

"It was a unique opportunity for the North East renewables industry to feed its hopes and concerns directly to the people responsible for the new European legislation on renewables.

"It is vital that the Renewables Directive gives the North East renewables industry a sound legal framework within which it can develop up to 2020 and beyond."

John Pinkmey, Technical Director at Tees based ENSUS (which produces bio-fuel through the process of wheat to ethnanol) and who spoke at the event said: "ENSUS is grateful for the opportunity to explain what it's building here in the North East. We see the new ENSUS facility being a tremendous contribution to the development of bio-fuels and to the local community. Today has been a very useful and helpful forum to explore these further."

Mark Lewis of the North East Process Industry Cluster (NEPIC) said:

"The launch of Regional Transport Biofuels Strategy project by ONE Northeast to be delivered by North East Biofuels (NEB) & NEPIC in partnership, is significant in helping the regions' industry respond to demands of EU targets for use of renewable energy.

"I welcome continued EU and UK commitment to the use of proven sustainable feedstocks for energy. The NE region has the key elements needed to make this happen in the target timescale and members of NEPIC & NEB will be leading the way."

Allan Coxon, the Chair of the North Riding and Durham County NFU said "Events like today are of great importance for the North East, in sharing the responsibilities of policies put in place. I hope the messages from today get to decision makers."