Blyth residents and businesses are being invited to see the latest on plans for the Energy Central Institute (ECI), a new higher-level skills and innovation facility in the town centre.
Residents, businesses and workers in Blyth are being encouraged to visit St Mary's Church Wanley Street, Blyth, NE24 1DP on Thursday, 7th November between 2pm and 6pm. There is also an online survey which goes live on the same day for those who cannot attend in person at https://nland.uk/ECI
The ECI will be located on the site of the former Keel Row Shopping Centre. Designs have been developed during 2024 with the project set to start construction in 2025 and completion of works expected to be in 2027.
The event provides the opportunity for residents, businesses and stakeholders to provide feedback on the proposals prior to the submission of a planning application in later in 2024. This is an important step in the design development and planning process.
The ECI will create a focal point for collaboration between Energy Central Campus/OREC, energy businesses and North East universities and develop higher-level skills and technological innovations to keep Energy Central at the forefront of energy sector growth.
It will focus on supporting higher level skills, innovation, and research in the key growth areas of:
Renewable Energy and engineering
Electrification and battery technologies: Driving the electric revolution
Power, electronics, machines and drives (PEMD)
Digitisation, Data and Digital Technologies
Sector Leadership and Management development
The project will equip young people and adults with the skills needed to take up careers in the sector and enable companies in the region to grow through access to a skilled workforce and support to adopt the latest innovations in clean growth technology.
Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Cabinet Member for Supporting Business and Opportunities at Northumberland County Council, said: “It’s an exciting time for Blyth, with major improvement works taking place in the town centre, alongside continued investment in the renewable energy sector.
“To maximise the growth of the renewable energy boom it’s vital we have local people with the right skills who can step into these roles. The ECI will be a cutting edge centre and we want to create that excitement around the plans as we move forward.”
The Energy Central Institute will be operated by Energy Central Campus Ltd, a unique partnership between the Port of Blyth, Northumberland County Council and the Offshore Renewable Energy Catapult, in conjunction with leading business and University partners, with a mission to create the pipeline of talent required for the expanding clean energy sector, at the same time, inspiring, training and delivering pathways to employment for the local community.
Andrew Esson, Head of Future Skills at the Offshore Renewable Energy (ORE) Catapult, said: “The Energy Central Institute (ECI) is the second phase of the Energy Central Campus development, which is set to provide transformational skills and innovation development to support the growth of the clean energy sector in Blyth and the wider North East.
“A key focus moving forward will be to provide a seamless partnership between offshore wind industry stakeholders and leading academic universities to develop opportunities for people in across the North East to transition into what is set be a sector of major growth in the years ahead.”
The project is part of the £95m Energising Blyth regeneration Programme to grow, renew and connect the town. The programme is delivered by Northumberland County Council with funding support from UK Government, Northumberland County Council and the North East Combined Authority.